A NSW Southern Highlands Poll Hereford breeder has blitzed the field to win the 2015 Australian Business Quality Awards.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Seventy-five-year-old Margaret Hughes has been breeding Poll Herefords for the past 25 years, and was shocked to learn she had won the award after being anonymously nominated.
Mrs Hughes runs the Elm Vale Poll Hereford stud at Mittagong with her husband Ian and the help of her daughter-in-law Juliet Hughes.
The award was presented for excellence in customer service.
Mrs Hughes loves the Hereford breed for its docility, fertility and doability, establishing a stud herd when she turned 60.
“As a child, I grew up on a dairy farm and had nothing to do with cattle - I was told to leave the farm as there wasn’t enough room for me,” she said.
“I became a teacher, but in my retirement I started breeding and showing Poll Herefords.
Twenty five years later I’m still showing Poll Herefords.
I don’t lead the cattle anymore as I can’t make a fist with my hands, but I do break them in at home.”
Mrs Hughes runs 64 registered females and sells bulls at the Dubbo National Show and Sale.
“The bulls are selling to Poll Hereford breeders, stud breeders and vealer producers,” she said.
“I aim to breed structurally sound, fertile and good looking cattle.
This award was unexpected and I knew nothing about it.”
Mrs Hughes knows of at least three young people who have founded studs with Elm Vale genetics.
“People keep coming back – students who have bought cattle from me and won first places at Canberra and Sydney this year, give me a big hug,” she said.
“I like attending the youth shows, as it’s good meeting up with people I’ve taught.
I’ll keep breeding cattle for as long as I can walk and talk.”