At Forest Road Farm, our focus has always been on breeding high-quality velvet with clean, tidy characteristics and well-formed, round tops. We pride ourselves on selecting only the best Main Sires - both purchased and homebred - based on these market-driven attributes. However, our approach goes beyond the aesthetics of velvet. We place significant emphasis on breeding for larger body size, strong constitution, and excellent temperament, ensuring that our herd is well-equipped for long-term performance.

While the current market conditions present challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to shaping the future of the velvet industry. We believe that genetics is not a one-year solution - it's about making strategic breeding decisions today that will define the herd we need in the next 5 to 10 years. By focusing on the long-term potential of our genetics, we aim to drive the industry forward.

We are excited to present a strong selection of progeny from our main sires, in this year’s catalogue, including some of our latest genetics through the 20 yearling hinds being offered. These elite hinds include four exceptional individuals produced via embryo transfer, providing a rare opportunity to acquire the same high-quality genetics that form the foundation of our breeding program.

Lazarus continues to demonstrate an exceptional hit rate across a broad and representative cross section of our herd, reinforcing his status as one of the industry’s top-performing velvet sires. His consistency and influence highlight the depth and reliability of our genetic program

Notably, our sire Kryptonite has made a significant impact, producing heavy, high-performance 3-year-old sons. Craftsman, another standout sire, is quickly gaining a reputation for consistency in producing the quality velvet that the market demands.

We are also pleased to offer data-driven insights through our BV (Breeding Value) evaluations for both velvet and venison production. These metrics have become a valuable tool in refining our breeding decisions, and we’re confident that the BV data supports the direction we’ve been taking. This reinforces our commitment to breeding the best genetics for both present and future market needs.

The sale stags, on average, have produced an impressive 7.3kg of first-cut velvet (excluding two that have yet to be harvested), all while maintaining the style of velvet that is highly sought after in the marketplace. We are proud of what we have to offer and look forward to continuing our breeding program with the industry's future in mind.

We invite you to join us on Tuesday, December 16th, to experience the quality of our stock firsthand and enjoy some holiday hospitality. We are committed to the long-term success of the velvet industry and would love to share our passion for breeding and production with you.

Sincerely,

Grant & Sally Charteris