As absentee owners, with a part-time manager, low-input management strategies have been put in place on their 880 hectare grazing property in Gippsland's high country at Ensay.

The couple stock conservatively and choose to join heifers later to calve as 3-year-olds.

"We've been through some tough seasons," Mr Newcomen said. "So we try to run cattle to good condition and if that means we run less, then so be it.

"We might be low-labour, but our priority is to look after the cattle well."

Since the purchase of their first parcel of land 20 years ago, the Newcomens have gradually added country and now run 200 Hereford breeders and 150 head of dry stock.

"Some of the country is pretty light so it suits us to keep some empty cattle to run on the dry hills," Mr Newcomen said.

Like many in the area, the Newcomens specifically target the local Mountain Calf Sales in March each year with their cattle regularly going to South Gippsland buyers to be backgrounded on grass.

This year the couple will offer 120 weaners after 20 years of selling at Ensay.

The Newcomens choose a cool run of weather in February each year to wean the calves, which by sale day are 9-12 months-old.

Last year 93 steers topped at $950 and averaged $863. Heifers made to $800 and averaged $737 for 43 head, while 60 heifers were retained in the herd.

Dunoon and Newcomen Hereford bulls are selected to breed specifically for the local sale.

"We look for well-balanced cattle that aren't too big," Mr Newcomen said.

"We take notice of Breedplan without buying anything too extreme."

Mr Newcomen said positive fat is important so the cattle have the opportunity to fatten in spring.

"We want good-doing bulls that will do on grass," he said. "We get tough autumns here, so we can't afford to have anything not good-doing and we're not into feeding grain."