Max Gubbins, 26, is excited about the family’s decision to disperse its stud breeding females to focus on expanding the commercial red meat production.
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In November, the family announced it would disperse Coolana Angus and XSimm Black Simmental studs.
Max is the fourth generation to work at Coolana in south-west Victoria’s Chatsworth. He has taken on the operaions manager of Coolana.
Max said the decision to sell of the stud breeders marked an end of an era for the family. He said they came to the decision together after discussing it for some time.
He is proud of the advances his parents Mark and Anna have made in the stud, which was first established by paternal grandfather John in 1972. At the time, the stud primarily provided bulls to properties John managed and then he started selling excess bulls. When Mark returned to the farm in 1985, the Gubbins were selling about 20 bulls a year. Last year they sold 285 bulls, which was the highest number in the life of the stud.
Max said it was fitting that his parents, who had poured so much time, energy and passion into the stud, were able to be part of the decision to step down when the stud was on top.
“The Gubbins family have decided to change course, making way for the next generation to pursue their own passions in the agricultural industry,” Mark said.
Max is thankful his parents had been open with him and helicopter pilot brother Ben about succession planning.
“I believe you can’t do business in the same way just because your parents did,” Max said.
Max said while the family was concentrating on getting the stud cattle sale-ready (with 300-odd XSimm cattle to be sold on Tuesday February 28 2017, the annual autumn Angus bull sale on Wednesday, February 1 and 1500-plus Angus females on Thursday March 2 and Friday March 3), he was keeping an open mind about how their commercial operation could develop.
“The market is unprecedented at the moment, the timing is right,” Max said.
They could start by bringing some of the commercial cattle they have in Meningie, South Australia, across to Coolana – depending on the season. They might also buy in cattle if the prices are right.
They will likely retain a small number of stud cattle and have started a small Wagyu operation.
He is optimistic the strong beef market will continue.
He’s assured by the people who came back to family farms nearby in the past five to 10 years, and they great things they were achieving.
“If you willing to have a crack and work hard; it’s a bloody good lifestyle.”
