New owners for Koojan Hills

Koojan Hills Angus stud, under the ownership of Lew and Pam Smit, will come to an end after its final bull sale on February 22.

The Kojonup couple have sold their remaining stock and the prefix to Manypeaks cattle producers Richard and Christine Metcalfe and their two sons, Tim and Chris.

Mr Smit said the stud was sold as whole and included 450 head of mixed-aged mature cows, mated heifers and bull and heifer weaners.

The Metcalfes will have their first Koojan Hills bull sale in 2017 alongside their existing annual Melaleuca Murray Grey bull sale.

Mr Smit - whose father established the Angus stud in 1963, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the livestock industry in 2013 - said he was sad to let it go.

"Time moves on and it was the right time and I couldn't have asked for a better home than with the Metcalfe family," he said.

Mr Smit said he had considered selling the stud for some time and was keen to keep the cattle together and, if possible, see the prefix continue.

"When Richard rang me asking if the stud was for sale, everything seemed to fall into place after that," he said.

Mr Smit, who has known the family for many years, said the Metcalfes had the same breeding philosophy about producing commercially orientated-type cattle.

"Also to their advantage are having two young sons who are interested in taking on the stud with enthusiasm," he said.

"With a few mature-aged stud breeders reaching retirement, it is an excellent time for young people to get involved in seed stock production."

Mr Metcalfe said his two sons were keen to take on an Angus stud.

"Our bull clients will now have more cattle options to select from and there are quite a few Angus herds in our farming area," Mr Metcalfe said.

"We are very proud to take on the Koojan Hills legacy - Lew has been inspirational within the industry and we hope to be able to fill his boots.

"We regard Koojan Hills as one of the top 10 Angus studs in Australia."

_Countryman _ attended the 2012 Koojan Hills bull sale when 41 bulls sold for the stud's record average price of $8177 and the record $22,500 top-priced bull, Koojan Hills Buddy F23, sold to Sprys stud, in NSW.

The Metcalfes recently purchased 15 pregnancy tested in-calf mature cows at the Coonamble Angus stud reduction sale in October.

"At the Coonamble sale, we heard Koojan Hills may be for sale - now we are comprehending our first Angus bull sale in 2017," Mr Metcalfe said.

Mr Smit said the Angus breed carried a wonderful range of traits.

"With the development of Breedplan and those results applied to commercial herds, there has been a dramatic improvement in producer profitability," he said. "Angus is popular because they simply make more money for the producers."