ABOUT
Breeding Quality Angus Livestock
Greswick Angus operates on the family farm that has been in continuous operation since the late 1800s. Preserving this rich rural heritage was important for John and Janelle, so after initially pursuing corporate careers, returned to live on the family farm to redevelop the property and to bring up their two sons Hayden and James in a rural environment. Greswick Angus commenced in 2001 after restructuring of the farm business.
With a medical science background, John refocused these skills into understanding soils, pasture and livestock production systems to incorporate management practices that would be capable of sustaining their capital investment into farming. His commitment to the agricultural industry and to be at the forefront of livestock production systems is recognized in his pursuit of a veterinary medicine degree. Janelle, with a background in business and marketing allowed them to feel at home marketing livestock directly out of the paddock.
With a medical science background, John refocused these skills into understanding soils, pasture and livestock production systems to incorporate management practices that would be capable of sustaining their capital investment into farming. His commitment to the agricultural industry and to be at the forefront of livestock production systems is recognized in his pursuit of a veterinary medicine degree. Janelle, with a background in business and marketing allowed them to feel at home marketing livestock directly out of the paddock.
Continuing a Farming Tradition For Over 100 Years
The home property 'Hilmont' has been a family farm in continuous operation since the late 1800's. John and Janelle's two sons Hayden and James represent the 5th generation to live and work on the family farm.
Historically, the property's mainstay was dairy production, and milk was transported off farm in milk cans via steamship from Clarencetown to Hexham. During this time the property was highly regarded and well known for its vineyards, dairy, orchards, tobacco and honey production. Declining returns from dairying and changes to river management along the Williams River resulted in the closure of the dairy in the early 1970s. At that time the family decided to enter the commercial beef market and chose Angus cattle as their preferred breed.
Historically, the property's mainstay was dairy production, and milk was transported off farm in milk cans via steamship from Clarencetown to Hexham. During this time the property was highly regarded and well known for its vineyards, dairy, orchards, tobacco and honey production. Declining returns from dairying and changes to river management along the Williams River resulted in the closure of the dairy in the early 1970s. At that time the family decided to enter the commercial beef market and chose Angus cattle as their preferred breed.
The Pursuit for Perfection Starts With Genetics
During a period when Hereford cattle dominated the local area, the family decided after the closure of the dairy to breed Angus beef cattle for their easy calving, easy care and superior fertility.
Today, Artificial Insemination (AI) allows constant infusion of bloodlines with superior genetic merit from around the world. Using both proven and new genetics to complement the base attributes within each female, sires are analysed for their ability to transmit heritable improvements to the core herd based on analysis of EBV's and pedigrees.
Today, Artificial Insemination (AI) allows constant infusion of bloodlines with superior genetic merit from around the world. Using both proven and new genetics to complement the base attributes within each female, sires are analysed for their ability to transmit heritable improvements to the core herd based on analysis of EBV's and pedigrees.
Caring For Our Land...Protecting Our Future
The home property 'Hilmont' lies along the lower reaches of the Williams River weir pool, a 21 km stretch of river that supplies drinking water to the lower Hunter region. Being situated within a water catchment area for Newcastle domestic water supply, the drive to adopt sustainable farming practices and consider water quality within the wider catchment was imperative to protect natural resources across the property.
John and Janelle are proactive about environmental sustainability and have fenced off and re-vegetated river frontages, provided extensive stock shelters away from run-off areas and installed off-stream watering points for stock in all paddocks. Their land management vision enabled them to be selected as Best Management Practice (BMP) farm to showcase the various practical on-farm practices that have been implemented.
John and Janelle are proactive about environmental sustainability and have fenced off and re-vegetated river frontages, provided extensive stock shelters away from run-off areas and installed off-stream watering points for stock in all paddocks. Their land management vision enabled them to be selected as Best Management Practice (BMP) farm to showcase the various practical on-farm practices that have been implemented.
