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2008 Annual Bull Sale
At the Annual Bull Sale, on Thursday 18th September, Gyranda sold 99 bulls. The average was $4,253, with a top of $19,000 for lot 1, a polled Gyranda Crackerjack son, with a good balance of EBVs, and outstanding Eye Muscle Area EBVs placing him in the top 5% of the breed. He was purchased by Tim Patterson (Broadleaf Santa Gertrudis Stud))
Bulk Buyers were Cam and Terry Russell (Swan Hill), Geoff Murphy, Ray Leikefett and Mark Gelhaar, Donald Joyce Gordon and Alan Sloss (Crystal Vale) and Merv and Liz Zahl.
Second top price was $15,000, paid for lot 81, purchased by David Greenup (Rosevale Stud).
The last lot of the day was bought after spirited bidding by Dawn and Glenn Cox, for $14,000.
TRADE MISSION TO USA & CANADA 2008
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When the Santa Gertrudis Tour of USA and Canada departed in April, Gyranda sent Michael and Kate Read (overseer and secretary) to represent them. They came home saying there is a lot of interest in Gyranda genetics, as the push for sires with Performance Figures gathers momentum in these countries.
Tim Stott writes from Canada “Our genetics are pretty slim up here and after seeing your bulls (website) and hearing about your breeding program I would like to get some semen to diversify our herd and strengthen the genetic make up of it . You have some exceptional cattle.”
Burnett and Louise have hosted many overseas students and welcome visitors. Work experience and permanent positions are often available.
FIELD DAYS 2008
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Each year Gyranda has a site at Aggrow (Emerald) in July, and Richmond Field Days in June. This year, they will also be attending Wes-Tec (Barcaldine) in September, and will have a line of bulls selling at the associated sale. These displays enable cattlemen to see the progress the Joyce family has made, and to talk with Burnett and Louise.
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X3X CATTLE PERFORMING IN ALL PARTS OF AUSTRALIA
Gyranda cattle are doing well in all parts of Australia. This year two sires (sold privately) have headed south to take up stud duties for Joe Falls and Derek Williams in NSW. John Riley commented on how well the Gyranda heifers he purchased privately are performing, in spite having come to coastal country, with their weaners showing great muscle expression and weight for age. “They’re exactly what I’m looking for. The adaptability and temperament are outstanding.”
![]() Trevor and Ryan Watson |
![]() Burnett with Mark Gelhaar and Ray Liekefett |
Trevor Watson (manager of Eskdale South for Max Hoffmeister) is so pleased with the Gyranda cattle, that when neighbour Mark Gellhaar (manages Eskdale for Ray Liekefett) needed bulls, he told him to go nowhere else. “I can recommend them for their temperament, constitution and adaptability as they do so well down here in coastal speargrass forest country and their fertility is tops. We had a pregnance rate of 95% from 96 females joined to three X3X bulls, and you can’t do better than that”
Ray and Mark bought 17 bulls. They were so impressed by the quality of bulls on offer that they rang 2 nights later to buy another 5.
GYRANDA SUCCESS WITH PRIME CATTLE
In their quest to provide cattle that are optimum for the commercial industry, Burnett and Louise have made some hard decisions. In future they will be watching the stud judging with some nostalgia, as they will no longer be parading cattle themselves. In future they will be concentrating on supporting the development of young people in the cattle industry, participating in Field Days and exhibiting Prime Cattle.
![]() Louise and Burnett Joyce |
![]() Grand Champion Female of Show |
”After an extended absence from Prime Cattle Competitions, Gyranda Pastoral Company has returned in triumph”. (QCL)
Both Eidsvold and Theodore have very strong Prime Cattle Sections in their show, and under stiff competition Gyranda was awarded many prizes, including Champion Female of each Show, with two different females. These classes are highly regarded by commercial cattlemen, as carcase value and market suitability are taken into consideration.
Eskdale South was awarded Grand Champion Exhibit in the Prime Cattle Section at Esk Show with a 4 tooth bullock weighing 778Kgs. He was sired by a Gyranda bull. Congratulations to Trevor Watson and Max Hoffmeister.
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200 PADDOCK SALE BULLS AVAILABLE- $3,000
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In January 2008, Gyranda provided 8 heifers for the Youth Camp at Warwick. “We thank all the participants for making the event so enjoyable, and congratulate them on the way they handled their cattle” (Louise Joyce).
Burnett and Louise Joyce had the honor of selecting the Kleberg Scholarship Winner. Congratulations to Ross Leggett.
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Burnett and Louise Joyce took part in a Trade Mission to Mexico in October 2007. The other participants were Mick Tierney (a geneticist involved in tropical dairy genetics) and Andrew Ferguson (from Selected Seeds). The trip was led by Henry Camacho from DPI and F. They visited four different geographic and climatic regions- Mexico City, Guadalajara, Campeche and Monterrey. This enabled them to get a feeling for the Mexican cattle industry. They look forward to facilitation trade, and exchanging ideas and genetics, in the future.
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CHARTERS TOWERS SANTA GERTRUDIS SALE (30 November 2007)
Gyranda sent 22 bulls to the Charters Towers Bull Sale. It was a strong sale, and it was good to see many new clients, as well as return customers. There was a total clearance and the sale averaged $3850 for 74 bulls. The draft from Gyranda averaged $4,568, with a top of $11,000.
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Gyranda had a successful annual bull sale on 30th August 2007. 91 bulls were sold for an average of $5,170. For a sales report and photos, see Annual Bull Sales.
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In June 2007 Burnett and Louise Joyce had a site at Richmond (Qld) Field Days. "We sell a lot of bulls into this region, and we wanted to support our clients, and let others know about our operation. We found it very rewarding.
Every year Burnett and Louise travel to the Northern Territory, taking bulls over for the Alice Springs Santa Gertrudis Sale. "We try to go to different areas, meeting our clients, learning about their operations, and hence increasing our understanding of which bulls will perform best for them."
Gyranda topped the Sale (twice), with the pair of 21 month old bulls bringing $6,250. They went to "Numery", (Kim and Shane Braightling), on the edge of the Simpson Desert. They have been so impressed by the performance of the X3X bulls, that they returned to purchase four, all from Gyranda. Gyranda also had the highest average, $3,500 for 40 bulls.
Gyranda sold 44 bull privately in 2007 to Stirling Buntine, to do service on one of his Northern Territory properties.
Semen has been collected from a top young poll bull, purchased last year. Tyndale Replay is an active, alert young sire, with tremendous libido. His temperament is impeccable. He is the full brother to Tyndale Noddy. His genetics are sought after overseas as well as in Australia.
Congratulations to the Marshall Family, Nandowrie, Springsure, on their success with progeny of Gyranda Sires, in the prime cattle showing at Springsure and Emerald Shows. "We couldn't speak more highly of them. We've been buying X3X bulls for over 20 years. They really perform well for us. The show results tell the story." For the 3rd year in a row Nandowrie won Champion Pen of Females at Springsure Show. They were also awarded Grand Champion Heifer. They won Champion and Reserve Pen of Steers, and Champion and Reserve Pen of Heifers. The 2 tooth steers weighed 640 Kg (dressed weight 360Kg) and sold for $1.80, while the heifers weighed 590Kg (dressed 330 Kg) and sold for @1.71.
- Gyranda Open Day will be held on Thursday the 16th of August 2007
- Gyranda Genetics Perform at Theodore Show
At Theodore Show, May 2007 Gyranda was awarded the Most Successful Exhibitor in the Stud Cattle Section under strong interbreed competition. The judge Matt McCamley was most impressed with the Gyranda cattle, constantly praising them for their functionality.
Although Gyranda did not have any cattle in the Prime Cattle section, their genetics were well represented under strong competition (160 entries) Gyranda sires proved themselves to be an exceptionally good investment for David and Jackie Jewell (Loma, Theodore). They were awarded the Most Successful Exhibitor in the Prime Cattle Section, with progeny of Gyranda bulls.
Their winnings included Champion Pen of Males, Champion and Reserve Milk Tooth Steer, and Heaviest Milk Tooth Steer of the Show (652 Kg) and, Champion and Reserve Champion Steer 2 teeth and over. The outstanding champion 2 tooth steer, weighing 686 Kg, went on to be awarded Grand Champion Male of the show, and Prime Exhibit.
Their success was even more outstanding , given that in spite of the drought, their cattle were all grazed on leucaena and grass, they were not fed any pasture crop or grain.. and they were competing against grain fed cattle.
Another successful exhibitor was Cracow Station (Richard and Sarah Cox), with progeny by Gyranda sires taking out 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their classes.
- Gyranda acquires Tyndale Replay
Replay is the full brother of Tyndale Noddy (Top Priced Santa Gertrudis Bull 2002, $42,500). He was purchased earlier this year, from Glen & Sharon Yeates (pictured below) from the Tyndale Santa Gertrudis Stud.
Burnett Joyce "An outstanding yound polled sire. What attracted me was his mobility, alertness and carcass characteristics. A bull, I believe will cross well over X3X cows"
- Gyranda Annual Bull Sale was held on September 9th, 2006. It was a great success, with 87 bulls selling for an average of nearly $5,000. See Annual Sale for a report and photos.
- The end of an era. Ida Joyce- Smith (Burnett's mother) passed away on 9th September 2006, on the night of the Gyranda Annual Sale. She was 80 years old. Gyranda and Santa Gertrudis were such an important part of her life it was fitting that she was able to acknowledge with delight the results of one of the best sales ever, a few hours before she died in her sleep. At Rest With Nature.
- Stan Wallace, of Queensland Country Life, came up from Brisbane on the charter plane, to attend the sale. His enthusiasm was evident, and I captured "The Two Big Boys" after the sale.
In recent months, Gyranda bulls and females have been sold privately to many regions of Australia, from the Atherton Tableland, to Alice Springs, to the Barkley Tableland, to New South Wales and Victoria. Here are a few photos, capturing some of them.
- Burnett Joyce was awarded the R.W Vincent Award in May 2006, for his outstanding contribution to the cattle breeding industry over a sustained period of time. It is the cattle seedstock industry's highest award given infrequently.
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Beef Australia 2006 was an outstanding event. This expo is held every 3 years in Rockhampton, in May. Congratulations to the Beef Australia Committee.
In the show ring, Gyranda upheld its record of being awarded Champions at every Beef Australia. (Commencing in 1991)
Gyranda Good Sir Z236 was awarded Senior Champion Santa Gertrudis Bull.
Gyranda Armada A486 was awarded Reserve Junior Champion Santa Gertrudis Bull.
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Louise and Burnett Joyce hosted 4 different overseas tour groups to Gyranda. Visitors were from various regions of South America, South Africa and China.
There was a lot of interest in Gyranda genetics, with semen orders forthcoming.
The Annual Junior Show was held by the Santa Gertrudis Society, in Warwick in January 2006. This is a great educational event for both the participants and the young cattle. Gyranda Pastoral Company took 19 head of cattle. We were awarded Champion Heifer, with Gyranda Azura, sired by Gyranda Diplomat.
Gyranda ventured on two Trade Missions - one to South America and one to China.
Two Trade Missions were held in June/July 2005, to investigate export opportunities for Australian producers. The potential benefit of both ventures to the Australian livestock industry, and to the Santa Gertrudis breed, was deemed so important that neither could be missed.
Burnett visited China as a delegate of the Santa Gertrudis Society. Louise participated in the South American Trade Mission (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile).
Burnett has been invited to judge at Brazil's most important Santa Gertrudis showing on December 2005. This was cancelled due to Foot and Mouth disease Outbreak. Burnett and Louise still went to Argentina and Brazil, visiting Santa Gertrudis Studs, AI centres and commercial operations. Burnett was a guest speaker at a function for Santa Gertrudis breeder in Brazil.
To help promote Santa Gertrudis in Brazil a TV crew were organised to televise Burnett and Lousies visit, for 3 different broadcasting companies.
Puedo hablar un poco de espanol.
Grace Smyth from Balgree S.G. Stud |
Gyranda Arabia paraded by Sam Neumann, with Nan Robertson |
Gyranda Armada at the water trough with Prue Jensen |
Christopher Muller winner of the R.F. Kleberg Scholarship |
Gyrand Acland, paraded by Casey Littleton |
Gyranda Alfie, paraded by Michael Medew |
Gyranda Alcatraz paraded by Billie Manns-Gordon |
Gyranda Arnhem paraded by Myles Newcombe |
Gyranda Asta paraded by Lydia Kennedy |
Gyranda Atom paraded by Kimberley Phelps |
Champion Heifer Gyranda Azura with Alex Trzeciak and Sally Dent |
Gyranda Ammo paraded by Dana Stubbins |
Gyranda Aladin paraded by Georgia Lewis |
Ross Leggett Grand Champion Herdsperson |
Gyranda Africa paraded by Katie Fogg |
Brock Ciesiolka Junior Champion Herdsperson |
South America |
Louise in Colombia |
Colombia |
Colombia Trade Mission |
Louise in Brazil |
Colombian Trade Mission |
Argentinean Gauchos |
Louise in Argentina |
Argentinean Gaucho |
Trade Mission Argentina |
Louise in Brazil |
Belavista AI Centre Brazil |
Louise in Colombia |
Burnett in China |
The entertainers and the Australian contingent |
Entertainmant over lunch |
The Australian contingent (7) in China |
Signing the memorandum |
A tractor - trailer combination |
Anthony Coates & Burnett Joyce and Yuling |
Ian Walker with cattle |
Dinner Party |
Burnett Joyce & Christian Pears at Estancia Aguay |
Charcoal oven Argentina |
President of the Santa Gertrudis Assoc Argentina |
House of President of S.G. Society, Argentina |
Santiago, BFJ , Ricardo Filipe, Christian, Mario |
Group photo |
Gaucho with protectors for riding |
Burnett Joyce with Santi & Andrea |
Villa Nougues - Argentina |
Burnett instructing at Estancia Caite |
Paul & Marcia Steffen & family |
Atala's Fazenda in Brazil |
Bela Vista AI Centre |
Group Photo |
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Mules used extensively - Brazil |
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Marcus Graca |
Ellen Geld & Burnett at Fazenda Pau D'Alho |
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Wladamir de Mello - Fazenda Malagetta |











