FOR the Tatura-based Pells - Robert, Marilyn and son Mark - the family's journey with Murray Greys began 24 years ago.
In the early years their focus had been on the vealer market, buying and selling dairy beef cross weaners.
"We had built up a handy herd of Hereford Murray Grey-cross cows as we used to borrow a Murray Grey bull, over the Hereford cows," said Marilyn. In February 2000, the Pells needed a bull with new bloodlines for their operation.
"Reading an advertisement, we found a pure-bred Murray Grey bull, called Rockyleigh Victory, over near Bendigo," she said.
So they headed over to meet Joan Heard and Muriel Morrish, principals at Rockyleigh Murray Grey Stud, ostensibly just to purchase Victory, and they walked away with a new direction and goal.
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"We came away with the bull and in addition two cows with calves at foot, as the ladies were trying to downsize.
"Joan just loved her cattle, and she encouraged us to sell all our cross-bred cattle and concentrate on purebred Murray Greys."
So with this in mind, the Pells decided to keep the bull and two cows registered, becoming the foundation stock for what would become Mystical Murray Greys.
One cow was Rockyleigh Haymay and she had a bull calf called Rockyleigh Hayfever.
The other cow was Rockyleigh SkyLark and her calf was Rockyleigh Saturn.
It was in 2005 and Murray Greys (MG) were the feature breed at the Royal Melbourne Show, celebrating a centenary of the MG breed.
"Robert had offered to assist an older gentleman who we had met at the Bendigo-based Victorian Midlands MG Breed Promotion Group," said Marilyn.
"His name was Allan Pate and he was the principal of the renowned Timmering-based stud, Mt View Murray Greys.
"Allan said to Robert if you’re coming to Melbourne to help me, then you’re going to bring an animal and learn how to show cattle as well.
"The only heifer we had available was Rockyleigh Saturn, and in her class of 14 she didn’t come last.
"A few weeks later we took Saturn to the Bendigo Feature Show, where she won her class and then won the Beef Interbreed.
"Sadly Allan Pate passed away some years ago, as did Dianne Kerrison of Silvergums Murray Greys," said Marilyn.
"Muriel Morrish also passed away and more recently we lost Joan Heard.
"Robert and I have the bloodlines of their cattle in our present herd," she said.
"These people were our good friends and our mentors, who inspired us to focus on the purity of the breed and stay true, not using Angus infusion or cross-breeding for hybrid vigour."
It was at the 2008 Murray Grey National Show and Sale that the Pells purchased a cow called Cullenya Quale with a bull calf at foot called Cullenya Digby DBS D11.
Robert nurtured this calf and started showing him around all the local shows from the age of 16 months old.
He attended Bendigo National Beef, Benalla, Wangaratta, Tatura, Dookie, Echuca, Rochester and Whittlesea Agricultural Shows to mention a few.
It was at Benalla that the bull won the Junior Interbreed at seventeen months in a class of 14 bulls in the 2009 Beef Classic.
In March 2023, Monterey Supreme GJB S11, purchased from the renowned stud in Karridale, Western Australia, joined the line-up in Tatura.
"Monterey would be the biggest Murray Grey stud in Australia," said Marilyn.
"The bull we purchased is equal fourth for EMA and third for IMF in that year's drop."
Supreme GJB S11 joined the stud with other Monterey females in the Magnolia, Miss Annabelle and Showgirl family lines.
"The Mt View family lines we like are Balcara, Carrie, Cristy, Jacinta and Wallflower, having bloodlines to Elbern-Roburn Murray Grey stud in Tasmania," Marilyn said.
Championing the breed, the Pells attend the Elmore Field Days Event each year, which is a huge commitment being there for three days with the cattle.
"We have also found Stock and Land Beef Week to be a good way to promote our cattle and the breed overall," said Marilyn.
"Through this event we have sold bulls and now have buyers coming back, to replace their older bulls.
"All bulls are guaranteed, sold structurally sound and semen-tested by Ovasem Genetics.
"We are J-Bas 7 tested, Pesti-Virus free, MLA and registered with the Greenhams' Never Ever program.
"Calves are vaccinated with 7-in-1, we use pour on drenches and incarcerate for flies, with the Kyabram Vets our first call for animal health and advice.
The Murray Grey breed originated in the Upper Murray region when an Angus bull over a Shorthorn cow produced a grey calf called a Mulberry.
This was 100 years ago and Mrs. Helen Sutherland was that first breeder.
"Today our genetics are mainly sourced from Monterey, Mt View, Saber, Cratloe and Woodbourn.
"We extensively use artificial insemination to introduce new bloodlines," Marilyn said.
The Mystical Murray Grey herd is registered with both the Murray Grey Australia Breeders Association (MGABA) as well as Murray Greys Australia Association (MGAA).
"We register animals on request, as the commercial breeder isn’t interested in a piece of paper, they just want to know real figures and weights," said Marilyn
"Show cattle must be registered cattle which is the reason we do both."
On January 31, 2025, day three of Stock and Land Beef Week, Mystical Murray Greys invite you on-farm where they will have both un-joined and joined heifers on display, as well as young bulls.
"Visit our farm near Tatura to look at our cattle, have a chat to the boys and enjoy the refreshments we offer in a comfortable setting," Marilyn said.
