Farm Weekly

Queensland is reaping rewards from having the most Angus-infused stock

WELL SUITED: Queensland has the biggest population of Angus-infused cattle in Australia as producers recognise the breeds value in a range of production systems.
WELL SUITED: Queensland has the biggest population of Angus-infused cattle in Australia as producers recognise the breeds value in a range of production systems.

This is branded content for Angus Society of Australia.

Leading cattle producers Sam Crowther and Robert Mackenzie will outline their strategies for using Angus genetics to boost profits at a Beef 2021 seminar.

Hosted by Angus Australia, this event draws on the vast experience of the pair to cover all aspects of how to extract optimum productivity and returns right through the beef supply chain in northern Australia - from breeding and finishing to marketing.

The "Angus Influence - from Performance to Profit" seminar ties-in with Angus Australia's three-year Northern Development Program (co-funded with Meat & Livestock Australia), which aims to support the use of Angus and Angus-infused cattle across the north.

Recent surveys have shown Queensland has the biggest population of Angus-infused cattle, so producers here are recognising the value of the breed in their systems.

- Angus Australia northern development officer Jen Peart

Angus Australia northern development officer Jen Peart said the program drew on the experience of successful northern cattle producers and breeders to extend information to their peers about how to make gains in key business profit-drivers.

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Mr Crowther will outline to Angus Australia's Beef 2021 seminar how his family's Central Queensland breeding, grazing and feedlot business works.

With wife Heather and family, they run a 1500-head breeding operation using Angus and Santa Gertrudis-cross cattle.

They have also set up a 650-head capacity feedlot to supply short-fed cattle direct to the grain-fed domestic trade.

Mr Crowther said they invested heavily in genetics to best meet market requirements, and the Angus influence was part of their success.

Breeding females were a mix of Angus crossed with Santa Gertrudis - joined to Santa Gertrudis bulls - and Santa Gertrudis (with a small Angus infusion) - mated to Angus sires.

Mr Crowther said Angus genetics had boosted herd value in key economic traits such as weight-for-age, consistency and quality of meat and cattle survival.

He said since the introduction of Angus genetics to their herd, the average weight of Angus and Santa Gertrudis-cross cattle going through the on-farm feedlot was up by about 30 kilograms per finished animal - compared to non-Angus-infused progeny.

"The feedlot is used to value-add with great effect and highlights the ability of Angus genetics to contribute to a readily saleable article," he said.

Mr Crowther said the Angus breed had also bolstered the consistency of progeny, even in a crossbreeding program, and delivered gains in rib and P8 fat, marbling, muscularity and producing an overall even line of calves.

Robert Mackenzie is the founder and owner of Mackas Pastoral and will speak at the Angus Australia Beef 2021 seminar about how his family's vertically-integrated operation, based in the NSW Hunter Valley, works.

The Mackenzies recently started exporting to China and the Middle East through their Verified Black Angus Beef brand "Mackas Australian Black Angus Beef". It is HGP free with a minimum of 150-days on grain.

This is a true paddock-to-plate story, backed-up by the independently-verified Angus Australia branding program that guarantees domestic and global premium beef buyers are getting superior quality products with integrity.

The Mackenzie's expanding cattle business covers 6000ha across eight properties, on which 3000 Angus cattle are run.

Bulls are selected on key Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for growth and key meat eating quality traits.

Progeny is assessed for grass-fed, feedlot and processing performance.

The Mackenzie's started backgrounding alongside their own-bred Angus and supplying cattle for sale via AuctionsPlus and direct to feedlots.

They then started selling indirectly to major supermarket chains and other Australian retail outlets, before setting up a brand program targeting overseas markets - mostly the food service industry - assisted by MLA, NSW DPI, AusTrade, and Angus Australia.

The family is also value-adding to secondary topside cuts by marketing Mackas Australian Beef Jerky in the domestic market.

Ms Peart said showcasing the success of the the Mackenzie and Crowther businesses at the Beef 2021 seminar reflected the type of producer-to-producer learning that Angus Australia was continuing to roll-out through the Northern Development Program.

She said the program, which was in its third year, is providing vital support to northern region cattle graziers who are implementing Angus genetics to their herds.

"We help producers determine and set breeding objectives and source bulls suited to those objectives, using Angus breed technologies and programs," she said.

"We also provide resources around acclimatisation and management when they are on-farm" she said.

"We have two major research projects for heat tolerance of Angus-infused stock and creating new EBVs for improved fertility in Angus cattle in northern regions."

Ms Peart said the Angus breed continues to grow in popularity across the top end as graziers realise the productivity benefits in hybrid vigour, fertility, growth and improved meat eating quality - all backed by robust and independent genetic data from Angus Australia.

"Recent surveys have shown Queensland has the biggest population of Angus-infused cattle, so producers here are recognising the value of the breed in their systems," she said.