Welcome to Torr Down South Devons

 

 

SOUTH DEVON INFUSION

 

 

 

Torr Down Marvel 3, a ten year old Homozygous Poll sire, bred and owned by John and Sue Harvey of Trentham, Victoria, Australia, has been sold to two prominent Red Wagyu Akaushi breeders.   The new owners are Melaleuca Red Wagyu, Canning Vale, Western Australia and Mazda Wagyu International Pty Ltd Mossiface, East Gippsland.

The two studs wish to promote polled cattle in the Red Wagyu Akaushi breed and Torr Down Marvel 3 has this ability along with the attributes of faster growth, excellent carcass specifications especially eye muscle, together with his outstanding docility, plus the South Devon’s renowned maternal traits.

Red Wagyu Akaushi originated from the prefecture of Kumamota located on the Japanese island Kyushu where they graze the sacred region of Mt Aso.    Numerous samples of DNA collected from Torr Down Polled animals leads to the conclusion that, quote, “South Devons contributed to the formation of the breed Akaushi” – Red Wagyu.   In type there is a definite similarity between the two breeds, both marbling well when finished on grass at two-2 ½ years of age.     Red Wagyu Akaushi also have the ability to achieve high marbling scores when fed grain in feedlots along side black Wagyu.

The outstanding characteristics have been recognized in many overseas countries where Red Wagyu Akaushi have been crossed with Bos Indicus such as Brahman, Nelore and Zebu.   Their ability to thrive in tropical areas with resistance to disease and parasites has encouraged producers to cross with their herds to attain a high quality result to sell in their domestic markets with financial gain.  Other countries such as China, South Africa, EU, USA and Canada have gained substantially from the introduction of the breed.  The demand for superior beef in many countries has increased sharply due to their rising middle class populations.

In due course, with the introduction of polled red Wagyu Akaushi sires, it is hoped that breeders will recognize the advantages in using such animals in their commercial herds for the benefits they can provide.

The interest in Torr Down South Devons commenced several years ago, probably brought about by the Torr Down Stud winning the mature section of  the Paddock To Palate  competitions at Avoca ,Victoria and the following year again at Sydney  in the Grand Final competition , this time securing the Grand Champion  award against all other breeds.

Following this, steers sired by Torr Down bulls won the Supreme Carcase Awards at The Royal Adelaide Show 2011 and The Royal Melbourne Shows 2012 & 2013 .

These accolades along with   multiple successes at Lardner Field Day Trials, by Gippsland South Devon breeders, brought home the various attributes  that the South Devon Breed possesses,

The TORR DOWN WEBSITE www.torrdownsouthdevons.com.au    which is regularly updated, also extols the virtues and numerous stories, regarding Torr Down Genetics Worldwide.

The Harvey’s in their 50^th year since establishing the Torr Down herd of Pedigree South Devons in England, feel very honoured to have had their senior stud sire, chosen to contribute to the progress of the Red Wagyu breed.

Marvel has gone into quarantine for semen collection, for the second time in his life. Previously  collected for the U.K. and NewZealand  in 2013.  

 

 

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Winter 2014/15 at Wisconsin USA some of Torr Down Hermes 3 Daughters
(Courtesy of Dr Jane Homan)

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Congratulations to Heather and Graham Lindsay Athlone South Devons Dalby Queensland on their purchase of Torr Down genetics

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Vale to Torr Down Natalie 107 the matriarch of the herd sadly lost to injury

Dam of her 8 month old heifer and grand dam of the 8 month old son and 20 month old daughter purchased by the Lindsays

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Torr Down Marvel 3 age 9 Years
Sire of four of the Lindays purchased females

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Limited amount of semen from Torr Down Hermes 3 and Marvel 3 still available in the UK and Australia

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First progeny of Marvel 3 in the UK