Lot 39, Rayleigh J Chanel P27, will be sold with her heifer calf at foot, by Mawarra B Trifecta T011. Picture by BJS Livestock Photography
This is branded content for Rayleigh Poll Herefords.
WITH almost seven decades breeding Hereford seedstock cattle, the Rayleigh prefix is well-regarded in the breed and the industry.
Hereford breeders have the opportunity to secure elite genetics from the Narrabri-based stud in its female dispersal on September 24.
Rayleigh Poll Herefords was established in 1957, and has been owned and managed by the Holcombe family for three generations.
Foundation females were purchased from Lomani and Dalkeith, with further bloodlines being added from studs like Debarry, Margfred Park, Toolangatta and Courallie in more recent years.
“We are really proud of how far the herd has come since the stud was established,” stud principal Jeff Holcombe said.
“This is a direct outcome of careful sire selection and strong breeding and performance pressures that we have placed on the herd in our 68 years of operation.”
Before relocating to Narrabri in 2020, the stud was run on the marginal plains country near Walgett, helping the family produce functional and efficient cattle.
Rayleigh stud principals Jeff and Robyn Holcombe are dispersing their well-regarded Poll Hereford herd. Picture supplied
Continuous dedication to the Rayleigh breeding program has allowed the stud to deal with dry seasons, market swings and changing industry demands.
“With great seasonal variability being a major performance pressure for the female herd, cattle that thrive in real-world conditions have always been a must,” Mr Holcombe said.
“Our clients require their cattle to finish on grass and adapt to seasonal challenges, and these are the cornerstone commercial realities on which our program has always been based.
“Breeding cattle in a variable environment has demanded resilience, but those challenges have only sharpened our program’s focus.
“We believe this has allowed the herd to become stronger and more dependable with every season.”
The dispersal represents the best of nearly 70 years of breeding. Picture supplied
Rayleigh has sold bulls to commercial and stud clients across the eastern states, with many repeat clients.
“A great point of pride is the loyalty of our clients who return year after year to purchase bulls and females from our sale,” Mr Holcombe said.
“That trust, along with the consistency of the herd itself, is Rayleigh’s greatest achievement.”
While the stud has enjoyed success in the show and sale rings, knowing its bulls were performing in the paddock has been a highlight, Mr Holcombe said.
“Breeding bulls that last in the paddock and exceed client expectations, seeing progeny of Rayleigh’s genetics performing off grass and in the feedlots, and forming the foundation for female herds that breed on generation after generation, brings us so much joy.
“It has also been rewarding to see Rayleigh females become foundation cows in other studs, and to play a role in encouraging the next generation of cattle breeders.”
The Rayleigh Poll Herefords team – Robyn Holcombe, Alys Marshall, Jeff Holcombe, Ally Stanfield, Anna Holcombe and Emily Taylor. Picture supplied
While the fundamental breeding principles of the herd haven’t changed over the years, the stud has adopted objective tools like estimated breeding values (EBVs) and carcase data to identify high-performing genetics.
“Recent years have been about balancing phenotype with performance, using EBVs to enhance relevance and consistency without ever losing sight of type,” Mr Holcombe said.
The dispersal represents the best of nearly 70 years of breeding, featuring 90 joined cows with calves at foot, 10 unjoined cows with calves at foot, 48 joined heifers, four stud sires and 24 semen lots. All females will be pregnancy-tested prior to the sale.
Among the prominent sires are Whim Park Destroyer D035, Yavenvale Benchmark B278, Bowen Calibre K207, Yalgoo Knickerbocker L205 and Injemira Anzac L170, which have had a huge influence on the Rayleigh cow herd.
“More recently, sires like Injemira Techno P271, Injemira Robert Redford Q287, Rayleigh Republican R092 and Injemira Fortune M152 Q193 have continued to build on these foundations and progress our EBVs and quality,” Mr Holcombe said.
“It was imperative to us when we decided to disperse the stud that we continued to utilise leading sires, and buyers will see this in calf sires and joining sires featured in the catalogue.
“For new clients, it’s a rare chance to step straight into a herd with depth and integrity, and for existing clients and studs, it’s an opportunity to secure genetics they can trust.”
The sale is at Kombali, Narrabri, on Wednesday, September 24, with inspections from 9am and the auction at 12pm.
Pre-sale inspections are on September 23 from 2pm, with drinks and nibbles from 5pm.
Continuous dedication to the Rayleigh breeding program has allowed the stud to deal with dry seasons, market swings and changing industry demands. Picture supplied
The female dispersal will be followed by one final bull sale in 2026, closing a remarkable chapter for the stud and the Holcombe family.
“As we grow older, and our health is not what it used to be, the time feels right to let the herd go while it’s at its peak,” Mr Holcombe said.
“It’s not an easy decision, but one we have made with pride, knowing the cattle will go on to make a difference in other herds.”
This is branded content for Rayleigh Poll Herefords.