Texas Angus Champions Youth with Pick of Three Heifer Donation to Angus Foundation
The Angus Foundation is once again the proud beneficiary of extraordinary generosity from within the Angus community, with leading seedstock operation Texas Angus stepping forward to support the next generation of Angus through the donation of a pick of three elite heifers.
Ben and Wendy Mayne of Texas Angus, Warialda NSW, are making the generous offering in support of the Angus Foundation’s mission to provide educational, leadership and youth development opportunities to young people passionate about the Australian beef industry.
This donation will feature as Lot 1 in the Texas Angus Annual Bull Sale, to be held on Thursday, 31st July, with the pick offered from three exceptional heifers—each boasting diverse pedigrees and mated to leading Angus sires.
The trio of heifers are described as the cream of the current drop, with strong maternal backgrounds and carefully selected AI matings. On offer are TEXAS USHERETTE U388 SV, TEXAS UNDINE U313 PV and TEXAS UNDINE U302 PV.
“Wendy and I are very passionate about the Angus Youth,” said Ben Mayne. “We’ve had a gap year student for the last three or four years, and we find it’s a brilliant opportunity for someone young that hasn’t been involved in the stud world to come here and experience the stud operation.
“This year, we thought, why not donate a heifer to the Angus Youth and see if we can add to the contribution to get more and more people into the Angus program. The youth are our future, so why not try and give them the best ability to do what they can for the Angus world.”
Each heifer on offer has been preg-tested in-calf, with Texas Undine U302 carrying a bull calf by BASIN JAMESON 1076 PV, Texas Undine U313 carrying a heifer calf by TEXAS U-BEAUTY U67 PV and Texas Usherette U388 PTIC to Landfall Pheasantry T245. These females were originally selected for retention within the Texas herd and reflect the Maynes’ commitment to breeding balanced cattle with elite phenotype and data.
“We thought we’ll pick three different heifers that have got different pedigrees to come in. So, there’s three heifers and it’s a pick of the three, and whoever got the winning bid can pick whichever,” explained Mr Mayne.
“They’ve got very, very good data—not only the heifers but the expected progeny is phenomenal.”
Supporting youth development in agriculture has long been a personal passion for the Mayne family. Their investment in gap year students – such as past Angus Foundation Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course Scholarship recipient Will Crane – demonstrates the long-term impact of hands-on opportunities.
“Wendy and I gave Will a heifer a year ago, and he’s breeding with her and now his own Angus stud. The passion he’s developed for Angus cattle is amazing. I just think that’s a great example of what this youth development can be. Donating this heifer—if this can be the finance to get more people involved, why not?”
“Wendy and I just thoroughly believe if we can add our contribution to it, to give a bit of incentive for these young people to come and join the Angus world, why not do it?” Mr Mayne said.
“There’s so much opportunity, not only within the Angus breed, the beef industry.”
The proceeds of the Lot 1 heifer pick will be directed entirely to the Angus Foundation, ensuring young people can continue to access scholarships, educational programs and life-changing experiences within the beef industry.
“What we hope is just to try and give any of these kids that want to be involved the opportunity to. The donation may be the influence needed to be able to get them to wherever they need to be within the Angus world.”
Prospective buyers and supporters are encouraged to attend the Texas Angus Open Day on the 10th of July, where the three donated heifers will be on display, alongside the draft of bulls being offered at the July 31 sale.
“This act of generosity thanks to the Mayne Family underlines the core values that drive the Angus breed forward—leadership, legacy, and a commitment to empowering the next generation,” said Angus Australia’s Jake Phillips. “We thank Texas Angus for their support towards the Angus Foundation.”
The Texas Angus Annual Bull Sale will take place at “Doongara”, 748 North Star Road, Warialda, NSW, 2402. For further information regarding the Foundation heifers, please contact the Texas Team: Ben Mayne 0427 295 039 Wendy Mayne 0438 376 622.
About the Angus Foundation
The Angus Foundation supports youth development, education, and research programs conducted by Angus Australia. These programs are designed to engage young people in the Australian beef industry, provide professional development for young beef breeders, and foster research to benefit Angus breeders and the wider Australian beef sector. The Foundation is governed by a committee of the Angus Australia Board with advice from an advisory committee comprising members and industry participants. For more information, visit Angus Australia Website.
