KURRA-WIRRA SLICK ANGUS
"For the past two decades, Kurra-Wirra has focused on breeding cattle that impact positively and profitably on the Australian beef industry. By blending the robust characteristics of Angus with the Senepol’s heat tolerance and parasite resistance, slick-coat gene, we’ve developed cattle that are ideally suited for the northern climates. Our kw. Slick Angus cattle has superior fertility, growth, and carcass quality, all while retaining the vital slick coat gene for optimal performance in the heat. These bulls provide a very distinct advantage to commercial beef breeding operations in Northern Australia, focused on increased production and efficiency as well as higher value carcases from hot northern environments."
Using top global Red Angus and Angus sires, we infuse with our Kurra-Wirra slick coated females to develop our superior kw. Slick Angus cattle. Advances in genetic testing, especially for the Slick-coat gene from the Senepol, allow us to dramatically increase the Angus content in our kw. Slick Angus cattle while retaining
the invaluable benefits of the heat-tolerant, Slick-coat gene. This approach provides substantial advantages for commercial beef enterprises, enhancing fertility and productivity while catering to diverse market opportunities.
This deliberate genetic combination ensures that our kw. Slick Angus bulls have higher fertility rates and accelerated calf growth, allowing for earlier weaning as they reach heavier weights at younger ages. This accelerated growth decreases the time calves need to graze before being sold, boosting profitability, reducing methane production and carbon footprint which provides a more environmentally sustainable solution.
We call this new breed, the ‘kw. Slick Angus’.
BREEDING FOR BETTER – SLICK ANGUS
Our Slick Angus program taps into the finest global genetics of the Angus and Red Angus breeds combined with the Senepol slick coat gene. This initiative delivers high-quality, performance-tested animals with considerable genetic advantages. Featuring sire verification and genomically enhanced Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) through the Leachman $Profit analysis, we rigorously assess key traits such as growth, birth weight, fertility, carcass quality, and conformation, ensuring a consistently exceptional standard across our herd.
OPENING UP MARKETS
Our cattle not only fetch Angus premium prices and are suitable for northern exports but also experience high demand in feedlots and store markets throughout Australia, with progeny commanding a
flat-backed premium crossed with Bos Indicus cows.
SUPERIOR FERTILITY
High libido with the ability to breed in diverse and often challenging environments, combined with high conception rates, ensuring a reliable and efficient production system.
EARLY MATURITY
Reach maturity quicker than many other breeds. This early maturity allows for earlier breeding and shorter generation intervals, enhancing productivity reaching target weights at a younger age.
MEAT QUALITY
Premium price cuts that exhibit tenderness, texture, flavour, marbling and meat yield.
REDUCTION IN HEAT STRESS
Our cattle maintain a lower internal body temperature, minimising the impact of heat stress in temperatures exceeding 28 degrees. This trait contributes to enhanced fertility and increased production.
TICK & PARASITE RESISTANCE
Estimated on-farm cost of ticks to the Australian cattle industry (production losses plus control costs) is approximately $146m per year. Slick Angus is a tick resistant breed – an efficient method to control this parasite.
MORE GRAZING TIME DURING DAYLIGHT
A higher degree of heat tolerance allows for longer average daily grazing time when compared to other non-slick coated breeds resulting in improved production and performance.
“Western Grazing have been buying Kurra-Wirra bulls for 16 years. We were looking
for a breed to cross with our Brahman base herd that had muscle, fertility, growth, and
that could stand up to the northern climate. We have found that Kurra-Wirra bulls have all that and more. By using these bulls, our calving rate has increased, our calves are heavier, and we are able to turn them off more quickly. The slick coat enables our cattle to maintain export opportunities to Northern markets and to be soft enough, with less ear that southern buyers also love them. Clients that buy our weaner steers say that they perform above
and beyond other breeds and continue wanting more.”