Diamond Tree cows sold in bulk lot

Perth businessman Ian Schwartz is back on the cattle trail after securing 300 Diamond Tree stud registered Angus females.

The pregnancy-tested-in-calf females were earmarked to be auctioned on October 28, but Mr Schwartz was quick to secure the lot in a private negotiation with Diamond Tree principal Kim Gandy, of Manjimup.

Mr Gandy had advertised the stud as a going interest and was intent on a stage one auction if no interested party came forth.

Mr Schwartz, originally from South Africa, said he was keen to get back into stud cattle.

"We moved to Australia in 1992 and life took a turn in another direction from my early cattle production years," he said.

"In 2002, we began farming on the side in WA with Murray Grey cattle, but we are now very excited about running Angus.

"We have been holding out for a long time for the right opportunity to come around and Diamond Tree's female dispersal was a diamond in the rough."

Mr Schwartz said it was a family decision, as his wife, Felicia, grew up on a dairy farm, milking 1000 head.

"Our son, Howard, one of our four children, is particularly interested in cattle and will be a key part of the future of the Diamond Tree brand, which we also purchased," he said..

"Howard is currently on a cattle station in the Kimberley and will returning home soon. Howard and I will work closely with Mr Gandy for the next 12 months to learn about his program.

"Mr Gandy told us that good temperament was an important selection criteria for the stud, which was noticed when we first visited - comfortably walking among the younger bulls."

Mr Schwartz said the Angus breed and its genetic pool stretched far and wide.

"With this breed you won't get boxed in with your genetic breeding program," he said.

"The Angus association also has great service and record-keeping and Breedplan is a fantastic tool."

Mr Schwartz, like many other recent investors in the cattle industry, is aware of the increased world demand for protein.

"Beef prices are not coming down any time soon," he said.

"There will always be ups and downs in the market, but beef will continue to head upwards. We want to supply the market with seed stock of the best quality."

Mr Schwartz said the Diamond Tree females represented excellent quality and the stud had an extensive artificial insemination program introducing new genetics into Australia.

"The homebred sires are very impressive, as are their Estimated Breeding Values," he said.

"The opportunity to sell bulls beginning in 2018 both locally as well as to overseas markets is a real upside to our investment in this farming enterprise."

The Gandy family will exit the seed stock industry in 2017 after their last bull sale of L-drop calves. They will offer 60 bulls in February and possibly offer some of their remaining females in an auction sale later next year.

Mr Gandy said he had enjoyed running Diamond Tree stud over the years and the sale was a bittersweet experience.

"Running Angus stud cattle has been good for my family, but the boys have selected their own professions, so the decision to sell was made necessary," he said. "My wife Lex and I and my children wish the Schwartz family all the best with their investment in Diamond Tree stud cattle. We are very pleased the stud will continue.

"I look forward to my continued service to all prospective bull-buying clients over the next few years. May beef prices continue to enjoy better times."

There will always be ups and downs in the market, but beef will continue to head upwards. We want to supply the market with seed stock of the best quality. Ian Schwartz