Family reflects ahead of final stud sale

David Jenkin, Allan Millardweb TBW Newsgroup
STRONG NETWORK: David Jenkins and close friend Alan Millard at the Casterton saleyards. Picture: Hamilton Spectator

David Jenkin, Allan Millardweb TBW Newsgroup
STRONG NETWORK: David Jenkins and close friend Alan Millard at the Casterton saleyards. Picture: Hamilton Spectator

THE Jenkin family name is one that has been synonymous with Limestone Coast farming for generations and although Banemore principal David Jenkin relocated to South West Victoria almost 40 years ago, he said he still has strong ties to the region.

Growing up in Yahl, Mr Jenkin said from a young age he knew he was destined for a career in agriculture and studying at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong cemented his plans.

“It was something I always knew I would do and the cattle side of things just called to me,” he said.

“My family was always involved in Herefords, so that was an easy choice for me.

“We kept Herefords and the Herefords kept us.”

He eventually established the Banemore Hereford stud at Penshurst in 1981 after purchasing two thirds of the well-known Nayook stud, which was founded in 1956.

A career spanning a lifetime has many highs and lows, but Mr Jenkin said one key highlight was bull testing in the 1980s.

“Hereford Australia used to run a national bull test centre in Albury, NSW,” he said.

“It was a very competitive Hereford event, where bulls from all over Australia were tested for growth and performance. Banemore was delighted to be champions two years in a row.

Mr Jenkin said another memorable career moment was being one of the pioneers of Breedplan.

Banemore is the last to disperse of the six Herefords stud herds involved in the validation of Breedplan, now a worldwide classed genetic cattle evaluation program.

At 75 years of age, Mr Jenkin will take a step back from his role at Banemore, while son Jonathan and his wife Jo wish to focus on commercial cattle and sheep enterprises.

The stud’s 39th annual sale and dispersal will have 100 pregnancy tested in-calf cows and heifers, 21 elite yearling heifers, 35 rising two-year-old bulls and 14 elite yearling bulls.

“Our commitment to adapting our cattle to suit the commercial market means buyers reap great rewards,” Mr Jenkin said.

“The outlook is positive following the drought breaking rains and improvement in cattle prices.”

Mr Jenkin said although he was taking a step back from the business, agriculture was in his blood and he did not see himself walking away anytime soon.