Coolana.
Overview
Coolana (3000acres, 1200 ha) was purchased by
Arthur Gubbins in 1930 and is now managed by the 3rd generation of
that family ( Mark Gubbins). In 1930 it was only subdivided into 8 paddocks,
overrun by rabbits and considered unviable. With a lot of hard work Coolana has
managed to buy out partners over the generations and set up other family
members in their own farming business's and grow to 6500 acres (2600 Hectares)
today. Now 82 paddocks in number Coolana runs a prime lamb enterprise and a seedstock
Angus cattle operation as well as a cropping operation.
Coolana enjoys 21", 550mm of rain, low in
comparision for the surrounding district. There are two main soil types split
by the Hopkins river. Ironstone gravel to the North and Basalt to the South.
This gives both early and late country - ideal for a livestock property.
Grazing
Coolana has moved from set stocking to a
rotationally grazing operation. Mobs sizes are up to 1800 ewes and 130 cows.
This has given benefits in feed grown going into the lambing period and ease of
property management. Now only a handfull of paddocks need checking for water,
flies and other problems. Stock are moved regularly and easily monitored. Both
sheep and cattle are spring lambing and calving operations to help match feed
demand and limit feeding.
Sheep
6000 Ewes are lambed to producing prime lambs from Texel, East Fresian and
Corriedale breeds. The aim of the sheep enterprise is to produce prime lambs
largely suppling Coles. Lambs are finished in a Lamb feedlot and on
summercrops.
Cattle
500 Angus Cows arel calved. 90% of these calves
will be by AI. Coolana is aiming at the top line Bull marked selling up to 100
bulls in and auction annually on the 1st Tuesday in March. Private bulls are
avialble throughout the year. AI Sires are sought from the worlds leading sire
lists to produce the highest quality bulls for clients. EBV's are recorded on
all registered animals.
Cropping
Coolana entered the cropping area in 1992,
starting as a major pasture renovation program cropping and has grown into a
big enterprise. Now cropping over 500 hectares annually. Crops grown are
Canola, Lupins, Wheat, Barley, Oats. Cropping has fitted in very well with the
garzing enterprise. Preference is being given to crops that can be grazed in
the late winter to help fill the feed gap. Stubbles have become a very
beneficail part of our summer grazing program.