HISTORY

History
How Ironbark’s Predictable Genetic Performance Was Built and is Maintained

The Spencers first settled in the Barraba district in the late 1850s. Adrian’s father David was 2nd generation, Adrian is 3rd generation and Adrian and Wendy’s children Isabella, Hugh and Ben are the 4th generation of Spencers to be breeding Herefords at Ironbark, Barraba, NSW Australia. David and Margret Spencer, Adrian’s parents were a driving force in the success of the Ironbark Hereford stud.

The stud was founded by the late E.L (Ted) Spencer in 1933 with progeny of KNIGHT WICK BEN (Imp.UK) from Bexley Hereford Stud Australia. The base herd was quickly added to by purchases from famous families all relating to the TOCALS, a herd that made Herefords what they are today in Australia; leaders with a huge pool of genetically proven pure bred cattle of predictable genetic performance. The Ironbark Hereford stud was originally founded for the reason of breeding bulls for its commercial herds.

Sires that followed were of Bexley breeding by FREETOWN STATESMAN, FREETOWN DIRECTOR, EYTON BRIGADIER, SUGWAS DANDY and BEXLEY DEMONSTRATOR. 1950 saw the first direct importation in MARLOW CUPID a son of TARRINGTON DEBONAIR.

Cupids first sons at the R.A.S. Sydney, gained two seconds in the bull classes, a CHAMPION on the Hoof and Hook together with a Reserve Champion hook all in the one show, a record that we still hold without challenge to this day. Incidentally, Ironbark was never out of the ribbons for steers, either hoof or hook (the proof of the pudding), at the R.A.S Sydney for 20 years to 1973, the last year of exhibition in Sydney. 

Bexley Tornado, a massive bull by Tarrington Meteor for perhaps the best cow ever imported to Australia, Billingsley Quill was followed by Cuppa Cumberland a son of Vern Vereker from Wenlock Gracious, then a son of Rose Bargee (the best Rose bull ever) Bexley Biro again from Billingsley Quill. These bulls left big roomy quality females as did BEXLEY Jensen (Vern JOVIAL) and Bexley Ranger (Rose Bargee). Sons of these bulls, Ironbark Nettle, Navy, Naval, Talisman, Vessell and Whim, to just name a few all gave rapid progression as did Ironbark Irrawaddy, a grandson of Calliope Statesman.

In 1973, David and Margret Spencer took over the running of the Ironbark Hereford Stud and formed Log Cabin Lands along with their children Kerry-Ann and Adrian. The family grew Ironbark Herefords to the operation that it is today. David Spencer was a board member of the Australian Hereford Society for 26 years, was the president for 4 years and was widely regarded as the Hereford breeds most dynamic president.

David Spencer passed away in August 2007 aged 87 years and Margret Spencer passed away in December 2019, she was 93. They both had a great love for Hereford cattle. Margret would often be heard saying "Herefords have been very good to our family. They fed and clothed us well, built our house, educated our children and allowed us to travel the world."  

David Spencer was a forward thinking man and his message before he died was keep ploughing on, don't look back.

David Spencer

Beef Industry legend David Spencer passed away on the 21st August 2007 aged 87 yrs. David was a leader and a man of immense vision. He is missed by every person that was fortunate enough to have known him. David was without doubt the most successful man to breed registered Hereford cattle in Australia. David stood the test of time. 

Ironbark is as strong as ever, the future is in good hands and we are like the Hereford breed - Built on Rock!

IRONBARK BREEDS BETTER BULLS FOR BETTER BEEF

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