Carcase traits of fat cover, yield and eating quality from Hereford/Brahman cross cattle are proving to be money in the pocket for a central Queensland family targeting an organic beef brand.
Bill and Louise Dunne operate an aggregation of four certified organic properties, with the 4858ha home breeder block “Tarcoola”, 70km north of Dingo on the Mackenzie River.
The couple and their children Laura, Lawson and Fraser, fifth generation graziers, run 1200 red Brahman breeders joined to Hereford and Brangus bulls to produce flatback steers and surplus heifers for a certified organic beef brand.
Bill and Louise have used Hereford genetics in their crossbreeding program for 24 years and displayed Hereford/Brahman steers at the Herefords Australia site at the 2018 Beef Australia.
“We have been experimenting with breeds to find a product the consumer wanted, and it was very clear they desired a flatback animal that made for a quality eating experience.”
They began sourcing Hereford bulls from Jarrah Genetics, Banana, to increase fertility, inject early maturity, lift carcase quality and meet MSA specifications.
“We find we can turn off the Hereford cross progeny six months earlier than what we used to when trading Brahmans – it has made a big difference and the proof is shown in the data as we weigh the cattle on the fattening block.”
“Over the last 10 years we have focused on the Hereford as our main breed over the cows and in the last two years every paddock bar one is all Hereford bulls,” Mrs Dunne said.
“As we source them locally, we know the paddock reared bulls are acclimatised so when they unload at home, they are ready to work.
“We look for a well-muscled bull with docility – we are pedantic about temperament. The milking and mothering ability is key along with their ability to work and thrive in our tropical environment.
Mr Dunne prefers the homozygous polled bulls with 100 per cent eye pigment, and he is impressed with the longevity of the breed with bulls being turned over at 10 years of age.
He said the F1 Hereford heifers are retained and joined to a Brangus bull for a terminal F2 product.
“The cattle are finished on 7km of Mackenzie River frontage near Rockhampton and 100 per cent of the time the Hereford cross is superior in their weight for age by a considerable amount compared to the fullblood Brahman,” Mrs Dunne added.
“People frequently comment on our solid calves and forward condition weaners – we are the only graziers up that beef road with the Herefords so they standout in a paddock full of Brahmans or Brangus. Overall, calving ease is good with the Hereford bulls. Most calves are red and white while we find the brindle calves are more in the second cross.”
The Hereford bulls are left in the herd all year round, therefore consistently producing weaners across the year for management and cash flow.
The family produces their own organically certified hay under centre pivots to supplement the weaners. The weaners also receive OrganicFlo, a stock feed supplement with 10 per cent protein, to maintain a rising plane of nutrition therefore sustaining critical mating weights.
The calves are treated with a 7-in-1 and after weaning are grown out to 450kg liveweight on buffel grass and legume pastures fertilised with an organically certified vermiculture product. The top heifers are then removed as replacements and the balance of the weaners are finished on forage sorghum or Lablab to a minimum of 530kg for selling direct to Clayton’s Organic Beef or through local store sales.
The Dunne’s enterprise is certified with Australian Certified Organic and undergoes an audit every year.
“We had ticked all the boxes before we began the certification process as our policy was a clean, green product. We looked into the organic market and when we realised we could obtain a premium price of $2-$3/kg for our product, it was an easy choice,” Mrs Dunne said.
“The Clayton’s Organic Beef buyer was really taken with the Hereford cross so that’s great for us as producers to get that feedback. Clayton’s look after us very well and quite frequently pay a higher premium than any other organic buyer.
“The fact we can tick that organic box, adds value to our beef as there are many discerning consumers willing to pay a little more, ensuring they know exactly what they are putting into their mouths. We are proud of what we are doing as a family, providing the consumers everything they want in their beef choice.”
“The Herefords have come out trumps and they won’t be going anywhere – they are very much a firm favourite of all of us,” Mrs Dunne said.