New chapter for Dunne’s Brahmans

It's been two years since the Queensland Country Life visited the Dunnes. Since then, the couple –  parents to Fraser, 24, Laura, 22, Meg, 20 and Lawson, 18, – have became certified organic across all three of their properties.

It was the culmination of a four-year journey through wads of paperwork, and Mr Dunne says the Brahman breed will continue to play a pivotal role in this new chapter.

The Dunnes run a 1100 head Red Brahman breeder herd, which they cross with Herefords, on Tarcoola, a 4000 hectare holding 70km north of Dingo.

Weaners are moved to Old Gordon, east of Tarcoola, and fattened at Aeroview, 80km west of Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River.

“I like the size, structure and temperament of the Brahman,” Mr Dunne said.

“When we first came here I had four small children and it was easy to muster.”

The year has been kind to the Dunnes – Tarcoola has received 28 inches to date – as compared with eight in 2015, which is another reason why Brahmans are well suited.

“I find the Brahman do consistently well despite the fluctuating seasons,” Mr Dunne said.

Mr Dunne said the Brahman’s ability to weather dry times made it well suited to organic land management practises.

“I don’t dip,” Mr Dunne said. “I never have and don’t seem to have tick problems here.

“Going organic for us is no different to what we have been doing here for the past 16 years, it was the perfect fit and an easy transition for the business.”

“Organic beef is definitely what consumers are looking for; they want to know what they are putting on their plate.

“There is a premium.”

The Dunnes aim to turn off bullocks around two and a half years old, weighing 300kg on the hook.  

In the coming weeks, Mr Dunne will send his first load of Brahman Hereford cross organic cattle to the sales.

Before that, he will return to the Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale (RBWS), where he and wife Louise have been regular volume buyers for many years.

The RBWS runs from 3 to 5 October.