Viewbank Exports to Argentina:
In November 2008, Viewbank Stud was visited by a representative from the Agricultural Institute, Patagonia, Argentina, along with two Argentinian mohair growers who were seeking stud stock for the improvement of the local mohair industry in that country. Their specifications were for yearling stock of the highest quality. Their inspection of all our young animals was very thorough, with three young does and one young buck being selected for further consideration once their tour of other studs was complete. As we had only three young bucks for selection, we were very pleased that they felt able to select one of such a small offering. (Our other three young sires are not eligible for export due to their participation in the Buck Trial at Cudal).
Negotiations are now underway regarding final pricing and transportation to an Australian quarantine facility prior to being cleared for export to Argentina.
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Dr Doug Stapleton of Cudal Stud, buyer of Viewbank Imbulu, pictured post trial shearing. Doug also achieved the top ranked buck on the SAFI index. |
Viewbank Buck tops the sale at the inaugural Buck Trial Jan 2009:
Viewbank's three entries in the Buck Trial at Cudal grew out extremely well in the lush Spring in that part of NSW. Viewbank Imbulu (VBK 712) was a well grown young buck on entry to the trial, but had reached an amazing 72 kgs by the trial's end.
With such amazing growth, it has been quite exciting to observe over repeated testing, that Imbulu has retained his fineness first observed in his second fleece (23.3 microns). This is most unusual for larger animals which tend to grow stronger fibre. At just 27.8 microns, measured in Jan 09, Imbulu is a stand out buck. He cut an impressive 4.0 kgs valued at $39.91 for six months growth. The average fleece value for all 44 trial animals was $32.
Imbulu achieved the 2nd highest score and ranking on the South African Fineness Index which rates animals on a combination of fleece weight, body weight and fibre diameter. He was beaten by only one point, by the top placed Cudal Stud entry . Imbulu later topped the sale at $2,000, following the conclusion of the trial.
Sale clearance rates were a disapppointing 23% but it is hoped that as the industry gains more confidence in this very different (and thorough) form of buck assessment, that more mohair producers will come to use and indeed rely on this form of assessment for their buck selection as is now the case in South Africa, the world leader in mohair production.
Full measurements for all trial bucks can be found on Mohair Australia's web site . (See photo at left). |
Buck Trial 2010
Unfortunately Viewbank was unable to participate in the 2010 buck trial at Cudal, but we wish to congratulate those who were brave enough to submit their bucks for testing and particulary to those whose animals scored well on the trials' objective criteria. Cudal stud again took top line honours with Cudal Neddie 46 (sired by Mallee Park Ned, a sire jointly owned by Viewbank and Cudal studs), based on the South African Fineness Index. Sharing honours was Coolbaroo stud from Victoria which entered the buck with the highest Australian Buck Trial index. |
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2007 Drop Viewbank Stud Bucks & their participation in the 1st Australian Buck Trial .
We have retained just six young bucks from last years drop. They are growing out well and displayed superb fibre in their second fleece. Three of these have been entered in the inaugural Buck Trial at Cudal, NSW in August 2008. Bucks from studs around Australia will be entering this trial to be grown out under uniform environmental conditions for six months. Full statistical details will be recorded for these animals providing an unprecented opportunity to observe and select objectively tested young bucks from different studs which have been raised under the same conditions. These bucks will all be offered for sale in late January 2008. More details about the trial and the buck entrants can be obtained from Cudal stud's web site . Viewbank's entry "Imbulu" is making a splash with some amazing objective measurements. See story above. |
Our 07 drop bucks in 2nd fleece (below and at right) |
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2007 Drop Viewbank Stud Bucks at Cudal- Nov 08.
Three Viewbank bucks Imbulu (VBK712), Malleebank (VBK 709) and Outlaw (VBK 752) are participating in the Buck Trial at Cudal NSW. The recent open day saw the bucks in superb condition having grown out on lush Spring pastures, contrasting starkly with our home conditions of dry, dusty paddocks. Mid side samples were collected for testing at this half way point in their 3rd fleece production. (See pics at right and below). Given the wonderful growing conditions at Cudal, where all bucks are gaining weight at a rapid rate, it will be a real test of individual genetics, to see which animals suffer from micron 'blow out' and which ones are still able to produce the more desirable finer fibre under such conditions. |
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Viewbank Imbulu VBK 712 at Cudal Nov 2008 (SOLD Jan 09 for $2,000)
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Viewbank Malleebank VBK 709 at Cudal Nov 08 . (Tag No. 5 in the Buck Trial)
(Sold)
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2007 Drop Bucks: statistics & photos
ID |
2nd Fleece tested 29 July 2007 |
3rd fleece tested Oct/Nov08 |
BW Jan 09 |
|
FD 2nd |
SD 2nd |
CV 2nd |
FD 3rd |
SD 3rd |
CV 3rd |
|
709 |
26.5 |
5.21 |
19.7 |
35.9 |
7.37 |
20.53 |
62.5 kg |
712 |
23.3 |
5.3 |
22.8 |
27.8 |
7.17 |
25.79 |
72.0 kg |
740 |
23.9 |
5.37 |
22.5 |
26 |
6.53 |
25.12 |
49.9 kg |
752 |
25.3 |
5.21 |
20.6 |
33.9 |
7.07 |
20.86 |
55.0 kg |
759 |
21.7 |
4.2 |
19.4 |
26.3 |
5.44 |
20.68 |
47.0 kg |
769 |
23.9 |
5.15 |
21.6 |
27.9 |
6.25 |
22.4 |
57.0 kg |
| Herd Name |
ID |
Name |
Sire |
Dam |
| Viewbank |
709 |
Malleebank |
Mallee Park Ned |
Viewbank D41 |
| Viewbank |
712 |
Imbulu |
Viewbank Malleescrub |
Viewbank G27 |
| Viewbank |
740 |
Vermont |
Viewbank Malleescrub |
Viewbank G020 |
| Viewbank |
752 |
Outlaw |
Mallee Park Ned |
Viewbank D42 |
| Viewbank |
759 |
Preto |
Viewbank Paulo |
Phezulu 1171 |
| Viewbank |
769 |
Potosi |
Viewbank Paulo |
Phezulu 1171 |
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Viewbank Potosi VBK 769 at Balliang Jan 09 (a grandson of the renowned Ancor Poco Bueno). Used at stud in 2009 & 2010. Sold as stud sire 2010. |

Viewbank Preto VBK 759 at Balliang Jan 09 (selected for Argentina). Preto is a grandson of the renowned Ancor Poco Bueno.
(Sold for $1,000)
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Viewbank Vermont VBK 740 at Balliang Jan 09 (Half brother to Imbulu). Used at stud in 2009 & 2010. On sold as stud sire 2010.
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2006 Drop Bucks:
Bucks
2006
drop |
2nd Fleece |
|
|
2nd Fleece weight crutched |
3rd fleece |
|
|
Body weight |
|
micron-2nd |
sd - 2nd |
cv - 2nd |
kgs |
micron-3rd |
sd - 3rd |
cv - 3rd |
Jan-08 |
5154 |
25 |
6.3 |
25.3 |
2.64 |
34.6 |
6.4 |
18.6 |
67kg |
5157 |
25.6 |
4.7 |
18.4 |
2.64 |
34.7 |
6.1 |
17.7 |
51kg |
5158 |
24 |
5.1 |
21.2 |
2.04 |
30.6 |
6.9 |
22.7 |
42kg |
5159 |
25.4 |
5.1 |
20.1 |
2.28 |
36.3 |
7.7 |
21.3 |
58kg |
5162 |
25.5 |
4.3 |
16.9 |
2.04 |
34.7 |
5.9 |
17.2 |
52kg |
5165 |
22.2 |
4.1 |
18.8 |
2.16 |
30.7 |
6 |
19.5 |
45kg |
5170 |
23.2 |
5.1 |
22.2 |
1.92 |
35.9 |
7.8 |
21.9 |
60kg |
5171 |
21.4 |
5.36 |
25.05 |
2.28 |
28.8 |
7.6 |
26.7 |
55kg |
5174 |
25.2 |
6.1 |
24 |
2.4 |
34.8 |
5.6 |
16.2 |
60kg |
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VIEWBANK Malleescrub
VBK 5154 (D of B 16/9/06)
Sire: Mallee Park Ned,
Dam: Phezulu 1857
(see stats in table at left) |
Specially Selected Stud Buck sold at Mohair Australia's Australasian Sale Feb, 2008 (Bendigo).
Congratulations to Michaela and David Holroyd of Moorabool, on their purchase of Viewbank Malleescrub
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Malleescrub is an outstanding son of Mallee Park Ned, who has direct linage to top quality Stud South African parents. Malleescrub has outstanding conformation and a robust frame. His quality fleece is dense and stylish. He already has numerous progeny to his credit - he was an active and fertile sire at only 6 mths of age!
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2006 Drop Bucks: Seen here in their third fleece (photos 2/2/08), these boys represent some of our ideals in terms of purity, with glossy faces and ears, even coverage from front to back and with solid robust frames. As will be obvious from the photos, we do not wash or preen our stock prior to sale. They are presented in paddock condition, so what you see is what you get ! Presented in their natural state, they are unlikely to disappoint as show stock sometimes do.
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VIEWBANK Peter VBK5159 (D of B 21/9/06) (see left)
Sire: Viewbank Paulo,
Dam: Viewbank D95
Retained in the stud for use in the 2008 joining season. Peter's progeny used at stud in 2010.
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VIEWBANK Yarran VBK5165
( D of B 22/9/06 ) see right
Sire: Viewbank Sophos, Dam:Viewbank E11
Retained in the stud for use in the 2008 & 09 joining seasons. We have many lovely progeny to his credit.
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At Viewbank Stud, we have been collating detailed statistics on our Angoras for more than 10 years. These are summarised on our Production page . These stats chart our progress towards achieving high quality, hardy Angoras which produce some of the finest fibre and highest financial returns in the country. All this is done under a commercial production regime. Selecting our bucks and does will help you to achieve similar outcomes with only a modest outlay. More of our clients are listed below.

Viewbank Banzi and Viewbank Bazulu from Viewbank's 2003 drop
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Left: Two of our stud bucks Viewbank Banzi and Viewbank Bazulu, sold (2005) to clients Mick and Pat Gill of Heathcote. Congratulations to Pat & Mick on winning the Appraisal class (most valuable fleece & body valuing for a team) at the 2008 Australasian Show using progeny from these Viewbank sires.
Viewbank progeny first won the same commercial Appraisal class in 2001 (see item below) |
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Viewbank J68
This beautiful 18 month old stud doe has been selected for export to Argentina. We wish her new owners the very best and hope that she breeds well for them.
SOLD $250.00 |
Pedigrees for all registered stock can be inspected on line via the Mohair Australia web site.
(Viewbank's stud prefix is VBK. All tattoos commence with these letters).
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PRIME 12 MONTH OLD ANGORA WETHERS IN 3 MONTHS FLEECE. (Posted 13 Nov 08).

Sold to a meat buyer for $30 per head post shearing March 09. The value of the fibre is still awaiting auction - due to be sold August 2009. Unfortunately as some of this fibre remains unsold at 10/09 it will not be possible to provide a comprehensive report on the outcome of the sale of these wethers and their fibre.
Wethers are usually sold either at 12 months or 18 months of age off shears. Timing is approx early Summer (yearlings) or the end of Autumn (18 months). Contact us in late November 09 for yearling wethers available for meat or fibre production.
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Viewbank Principals Out & About
While Viewbank no longer shows goats on a regular basis, we continue to enjoy our interaction with the Angora/Mohair community and occasional judging.
Seen at left in 2001, Pam (centre) with David Williams (mohair buyer) (far left) and Bruce McGregor (Animal and fibre scientist) judging the 10 kilo Kid mohair class at the Australasian Show.
Pam and David again judged the 10 kg Kid class at the 2008 Australasian Show along with Guest judge Andries Oelofse a commecial mohair grower and judge from South Africa. Congratulations to the Phezulu Angora Stud on winning this prestigous competition.
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Below: Pam seen collecting the trophy for the winning Angora team in the commercial Appraisal class at the 2001 Australasian show. Presenting the trophy is Bill Anderson, representing the trophy sponsor.
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