About US
We are an Angus seedstock operation located east of Mudgee on the Central Tablelands of NSW, Australia.
Our mission at Coffin Creek is to breed Angus cattle that carry the fundamental characteristics which support a profitable and versatile beef enterprise. 2026 marks our 35th year of breeding. Over the years, we have always aimed to improve our own herd of cows and as such, also provide a source of genetics that will benefit downstream users.
We emphasise maternal phenotype and function in our operation. Physically, our females have adequate dimensions of depth, length & width translating into cattle with volume. Structural soundness and a quiet disposition are imperative. Functionally, our cows need to be able to forage in large contemporary groups, in varying terrain. From two years of age, they must calve unassisted, fall pregnant in the joining period and wean a calf each and every year. We have zero tolerance for calving difficulty and cull accordingly. Our heifer matings are designed to achieve a breeding outcome rather than for calving ease. By placing this pressure on our heifers, we ingrain calving ease into the cow herd.
We assess each animal in our herd multiple times a year. This involves having each animal stand individually in the round yard whilst being scrutinised for foot and leg structure, udder set, temperament and overall type. As well as old fashioned cattle sense, we utilise available technologies to enhance our breeding outcomes. We diligently record data for Breedplan and use Genomic DNA testing to boost the accuracy of the predicted performance on the cattle. Artificial Insemination & Embryo Transfer are tools used to gain access to elite genetics.
Sires are thoroughly researched prior to use. They are selected on phenotype, pedigree as well as performance data. We make a concerted effort to inspect the sires we introduce to our programme. Each year, we use many of our own yearling bulls for in-herd natural joining. We endorse the economic benefits provided by young bulls for such advantages as longevity, ease of handling and rapid access to genetics. As such, yearling bulls (aged 15-16 months) are offered at our Annual bull sale each year.
It is our ambition that the bulls we sell go into the industry to inject softness, muscle and doing ease into commercial cattle herds, as well as breed females whose qualities mirror those of our own herd.
The Coffin Creek currently herd consists of approximately 400 registered and 300 commercial females. Our animals are run in a rotational grazing system that hinges on a philosophy of maintaining ground cover at all times. We adapt our stocking rate to suit the conditions. The ecological approach engages sympathetic land use strategies that seek to improve water and soil quality at all times.
History
Coffin Creek Angus was founded by Nigel White in 1991 with the purchase of foundation females from Naranghi, Narrangullen, Noonee and Millah Murrah studs. Despite having grown up at Havilah North, one of the oldest Devon Studs in Australia (founded in 1883), Nigel had a preference for Angus cattle. As such, he went about developing his own small herd of Registered Angus females on the northern-most part of Havilah North; a block called Coffin Creek.
Andrew and Nigel White showing Havilah Devons in 1985
Nigel with Coffin Creek Potent P10 in 1996
In 2000, Denis and Valerie White retired, and the Havilah North Devon herd was dispersed. A portion of Havilah North was then taken over by Nigel and his two sons Jack and Harry, and would become the home of Coffin Creek Angus.
In 2012, after supplying Angus bulls to the local region for many years, Coffin Creek held it’s first on-property bull sale. This event is now held annually in August in the same Havilah North sale ring that hosted many bull sales from the 1970s to 1990s.
In 2014, Harry & Jack returned from the completion of various work experience and tertiary education opportunities to join the family business and help with the development of the stud.
In 2019, as part of family succession Harry & Jack along with their families, assumed formal management of Coffin Creek Angus. In doing so, they continue a long family tradition, being the 6th straight generation of Whites to breed cattle on country that is part of the historic property called Havilah.