Farm Weekly

Rosevale encourages producers: be ready for good times ahead in beef

FAMILY BUSINESS: David and Sonya Greenup with their three sons Toby, Seb and Sam.
FAMILY BUSINESS: David and Sonya Greenup with their three sons Toby, Seb and Sam.

The Greenup family knows a thing or two about breeding cattle, they've been doing it for 136 years.

David Greenup and his wife Sonya are the fifth generation to own and operate Rosevale Santa Gertrudis Stud from their property at Jandowae in South East Queensland.

Since taking over in 1984, they've continued to develop the operation using best practices and the latest technology, measuring a multitude of traits to ensure greatest accuracy and resulting genetic improvement.

Today, they're renowned for the quality of their stock. In fact, every year they sell more than 400 bulls to commercial beef operations all over Australia.

They've seen variability in seasonal conditions - especially over the last decade - and if that experience has taught them nothing else, it's that you need to protect your elite bloodlines during dry periods.

During these times there is no room for free loaders, Mr Greenup says. It is important to know which animals are your most productive and, when reducing herd numbers, retain the very best in your nucleus herd.

This will enable you to spring into full production when the season breaks. Mr Greenup sees bright times ahead for beef producers.

Three generations of Greenups with Rosevale Sale Bulls. Pictured are grandsons Seb and Sam, with dad David and grandfather Grahame.
Three generations of Greenups with Rosevale Sale Bulls. Pictured are grandsons Seb and Sam, with dad David and grandfather Grahame.

"The global demand for beef is extremely strong," he explained.

"And, with the Australian cattle herd numbers looking like being at the lowest level for some time, simple supply and demand principles will ensure beef prices will hit historically high levels when rain falls over the vast areas of the country that are dry."

That's why he's advising all of their clients to take advantage of the opportunity to get their hands on some of their best bulls at their 63rd annual on property sale on September 24.

The stud will offer up 140 bulls in what is the nation's longest running on property sale. They say there will be something for everybody.

"We do a lot of work on the profitability of our business and we measure all of the relevant traits in our cattle," Mr Greenup explained.

"So, people can select an animal that really fits with what their purposes are. Different producers sell into different markets and are on different country and they need slightly different genetics to work for them," he continued.

"So what we do, which is different to many seedstock herds in northern Australia, is we take measurements on not only the animals for sale but the entire calf drop.

Kuloomba Peter(P) purchased for $57,000 his first sons sell at this years Rosevale Sale.
Kuloomba Peter(P) purchased for $57,000 his first sons sell at this years Rosevale Sale.

"The attributes of all animals are fully described by being benchmarked against their peers and animals from past years. So, we have generations worth of data which gives a more complete picture of how those bulls are going to breed."

Rosevale Santa Gertrudis Stud has been measuring traits intensively for more than 20 years. They have a breeding herd of 700 cows as well as a 700 cow commercial herd.

Mr and Mrs Greenup live on the 12,000 hectare property with their three sons, Sam, Toby and Seb.

Rosevale is a vast, sprawling agricultural operation which features a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from light forest to fertile, scrub country.

Breeders are run on the forest country while young bulls and steers are grown and fattened on the scrub. First-calf heifers are also run on the better pastures until their calves are weaned. Dry land fodder crops are also planted to grow out young cattle and prepare bulls for sale.

For more information about the onproperty sale contact David and Sonya Greenup on (07) 4668 6192 or email them at rosevalesanta@bigpond.com

Rosevale is located at 890 Niagara Road, Jandowae, Queensland. For directions, click here.