Coolana Angus and XSimm Studs to be Dispersed
After much deliberation and many sleepless nights, the Gubbins family – Mark and Anna, Ben and Max – are changing course, making way for the next generation to pursue their own passions in the agricultural industry. Following this historic decision, a series of dispersal sales will be held on the property at Chatsworth, from 28th February to 3th March, 2017.
Mark and Anna have always seen succession planning as a vital tool for farming families. And, with that in mind, they concluded that passing on the stud enterprises, and the extreme workload levels involved, would not be fair to the next generation. They wished to allow Ben and Max to be free to take their own paths in agriculture, unencumbered by the complexity and decisions of previous generations.
While Mark and Anna stress that they are not retiring, and that ‘nobody in the family is ill’, they will remain on Coolana, continuing to breed commercial cattle and sheep, and guiding Max in his future endeavours. The gates are open for Ben, currently pursuing a career as a helicopter pilot, to return to farming whenever he likes. But they are also hoping to free up time to pursue other interests, both on and off the property. Mark says the stud operation has grown so big, to the point where they eat, breathe and sleep stud cattle, with little time for anything else.
Angus cattle were first introduced to Coolana in the early 1930s by Mark’s grandfather, Arthur Gubbins – into a traditional Hereford and Shorthorn district. The Coolana stud prefix was registered by Mark’s father, John, in 1972. When Mark came home to Coolana, having studied at Glenormiston Agricultural College, in 1983, he and John were selling 18-20 stud bulls annually. In 2015 Coolana sold 285 bulls – a huge increase in 30 years.
While the decision is bitter-sweet, the family know they have made the right decision for everyone involved. Mark’s 45-year involvement with Angus cattle, has seen many changes in the industry, and on Coolana. As past President of Angus Australia, and a big player in the seedstock industry, Mark has developed many long-lasting relationships, both in Australia and overseas. And he is extremely proud of the gains he has made in breeding the best possible Angus cattle.
A series of dispersal sales will be held in early Autumn, 2017, at the Chatsworth property. This will be the largest dispersal of Angus genetics in Australia to date.
While sale details have not yet been finalised, the following dates have been released:
- Tuesday 28th February – XSimm – afternoon
- Wednesday 1st March – Annual Autumn Angus Bull sale – evening, after the Te Mania sale. **Combined Victorian & SA sale, to be held at Chatsworth, Vic. (Normal delivery arrangements will apply)
- Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd March – Angus Female sale – around 1200 head
Keep checking our website, and Facebook page for sale details as they come to hand.
Sale catalogues will be available to download from our website in January, 2017. Catalogues can also be posted on request. (Please email your postal details to enable this – do NOT give postal details by text or phone messaging) (Email: info@coolana.com )
If you have any further enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Email: info@coolana.com
Coolana Team:
Mark Gubbins 0428 593 913
Max Gubbins 0493 593 913
Martin Beltrame 0457 777 708
Dick Whale 0427 697 968
Elders:
Ross Milne 0408 057 558
Hayden Lanyon 0419 961 008
