Correct temperament and proper handling to ensure easy-care

cattle are among the important traits Peter and Gill Carter of Reefton Park Dexter Stud are striving for in their breeding program

The motto of the stud is ‘People Friendly Cattle’. Low stress handling techniques are used to ensure the cattle are quiet and easy to manage. This makes interactions between people and cattle a much more pleasant and safer experience for all. Time is spent just

sitting with the cattle in their paddocks. The natural curiosity of the

cattle encourages them to approach and investigate, allowing them

to become accustomed to the presence of people in a non threatening environment.

The Reefton Park herd contains a mix of show quality and commercial animals. Whilst the stud is not a regular in the show ring some success has been achieved at both local agricultural shows and the Royal Geelong Show which hosts the Victorian Dexter Breed Show. Attendance at such shows gives the stud an opportunity to compare Reefton Park animals with those from top studs throughout Victoria and Australia wide.

The main aim of the Reefton Park Stud is the breeding of well-conformed animals that will produce a high quality beef carcass. These animals are utilised by Reefton Park Dexter Beef, the commercial arm of the enterprise.