DESPITE the recent turn against Brahman cattle and concerns about their eating quality – one Theodore family are increasing their focus on Brahman genetics in their commercial breeding herd; and are loving the results.
Alan and Natalie Goodland, Clare, Theodore, operate on a total of 9100 hectares of combined land between the home family block, additional blocks, and agistment, in partnership with Mr Goodland’s parents, Neil and Janet Goodland.
The family operation took out the top prize out of 600 entries at the Callide Dawson Beef Carcase Competition last week for the most suitable MSA carcase – HGP free with a Brahman/Charolais cross.
They also went home with a second place in the single export heifer class, and a third in best live weight gain in feedlot – trade.
With a small Charolais stud and a commercial herd, the Goodlands join more than 1000 females each year.
Mr Goodland said the focus of the operation shifted two years ago to a more straight Brahman/Charolais-cross based herd because they are achieving a more even saleable product, whether it be with feeders or through to bullocks.
“They’re (Brahmans) good cows with a big frame and they handle the country and are a great cross with the Charolais,” he said.
The Goodlands put their bulls in the cows at the end of October/start of November, and they usually come out around March – but this year they were left in longer due to the dry season.
“Usually they’ll stay in with the Charolais cows for about three months, the heifers are three months, and the Brahman-cross commercial breeders are about four months,” Mr Goodland said.
“We have a high focus on fertility in all our breeders.”
The Goodlands use a mixture of their own home-bred bulls, and bulls purchased from various studs around the state.
While in the past they were fattening cattle to sell, they have now switched focus to the feeder market whilst still fattening some.
“That’s where the money is now – there’s more money in feeders,” Mr Goodland said.
“We wean them here (at Clare), we breed them in the more foresty-type country, and then we aim to finish them on oats.”
This year the family has about 400 hectares of oats in the ground and Mr Goodland said it has been a great season.
“It’s the best feed you can get when you’ve got the right season,” he said.
However only three months ago it was a different story for the family – who were battling incredibly dry conditions.
“We were real dry until the start of March - proper dry, but from March on we’ve been really lucky,” Mr Goodland said.
“It is still very dry now at Wandoan - we lease country there – therefore we have lightly stocked it.”
Mr and Mrs Goodlands’ three young children, Indiah, five, Halle, three, and Mac, one, are the third generation living on the property, and Mrs Goodland said she likes to think it will stay within the family.
“Obviously you can’t push your kids to stay on the land, but it would be great to continue on through the generations,” she said.
“We hope to build our cattle numbers up and expand if the right place comes along.”