In August Troy Gayler, the owner of Paradise Boran Stud in southern Queensland, Australia, bought a pregnant heifer, Haylee (BH 21-404) for an African record price of R1,8 million at the Hurwitz Farming 10th Production Auction. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his interest in Boran cattle.

When did you start farming with Boran cattle?
I was fortunate to get hold of 421 Boran embryos imported from Lord Delamere’s stud in Kenya to Australia in 1990, making it the largest pull of Boran genetics outside of Africa. We bought the embryos in 2018 and have been implanting them in stages since then. So far, we have just over 100 full blood females in the first generation.

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Why Boran cattle in Australia?
Brahman cattle genetics represent more than 13 million of the national Australian herd. Boran cattle have the same advantages as Brahman cattle, ranging from a high adaptability to different climate conditions and environments, the ability to maximise lower quality feed, and a good resistance to insects and external parasites.

But they offer so much more, thanks to being sexually mature at a younger age, their high fertility, and good maternal qualities.

They also produce higher levels of heterosis than most other breeds when crossed with British or Continental breeds. For instance, in a study using Boran bulls over Brahman females in North Australia, there was an increase of over 11% in weaning percentages in comparison with when Brahman genetics were used alone.

The hybrid calves also grow quicker, are more efficient in feedlots, and their meat is more tender and better marbled than the meat of pure Brahman cattle.

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What is demand like for Boran cattle internationally?
I have received inquiries from all over the world, from countries in South and Central America, the United States and even Indonesia and Papa New Guinea.

I think the demand will grow as climate change forces farmers to revert to cattle that are able to better withstand extreme climatic conditions, like droughts, heatwaves and cold spells, and farm with cattle that are able to thrive under veld conditions. Boran cattle tick all these boxes.

Was it difficult to decide to buy animals in South Africa?
No, because the Boran market in South Africa is strong, getting bigger and better.

Did you have any links with South Africa before you entered the market?
Simeon Hurwitz of Hurwitz Farming and I have known each other for many years. I phoned him for advice even before I had any Boran animals on the ground, and he has since been helping me with my breeding strategies and the selection of animals. He has become more than a friend – more like a role model and mentor.

I would advise anyone getting into the Boran industry to talk to Simeon, because he is so knowledgeable and easy to deal with.

How many animals did you buy at the Hurwitz Production Auction?
Seven females with four calves and one bull, Lexus (BH 16 94).

You set a record for the highest price paid in Africa for a pregnant heifer at the auction. What makes this heifer so special?
Hurwitz Farming offers some of the most fabulous Boran genetics available anywhere in the world. I see the purchase as an investment in the future of my studs.

What are your plans for the cattle purchased in South Africa? Will you be shipping them to Australia?
No, export protocols make it difficult to export live animals from South Africa to Australia. It is still early days, but so far, I am planning on keeping the South African animals in South Africa.

Hopefully one day, we will be able to get some of the Australian genetics to South Africa. Chances are very slim that I would be able to take it from South Africa to Australia because of the strict disease and export protocols.

What is your long-term goal with the Paradise Stud?
I want to leverage Australia’s livestock traceability and disease-control infrastructure and export Boran genetics throughout the world.

How did SwiftVEE, the online trading platform that facilitated the Hurwitz auction, help you achieve your dream?
Until recently, livestock industries have been fragmented due to logistical challenges of trading at physical auction venues, but technology has changed this, creating new opportunities to globalise livestock trading.

SwiftVee has been great, as it allowed me to participate in the auction without being in South Africa. The platform is easy to use, and Russel Luck, CEO of swiftVee himself stepped in and gave great backup during the sale when my Wifi went down.