WHEN Euan and Kaye Murdoch sold their Herron Pharmaceuticals business in 2003, they made the bold decision to re-establish their rural roots.
After searching for a suitable property within a (grandchildren friendly) four hour drive of Brisbane, the Murdochs seized the opportunity to buy the significant Queensland property Nindooinbah.
Despite desperately needing an almost complete 'front gate to back paddock' overhaul, the potential of the 2800 hectare property located in the Kerry Valley, near Beaudesert, was obvious.
"We both originally came from country Victoria, but university (initially to study veterinary science) and our careers had kept us in the cities," Mr Murdoch said.
"When we saw it, we knew Nindi was what we wanted, but it certainly needed a lot of work. It really was in a terrible state of repair."
In fact, it took five years to return Nindooinbah's numerous heritage listed buildings back to their former glory, and even longer to construct the necessary farm infrastructure and fences as well as re-establish the pastures.
However, owning an historic station that had once been the headquarters of The North Australian Pastoral Company was just the beginning.
The purpose of the rebirthed property quickly developed into an operation with the overriding objective of improving the northern beef industry.
Initially Nindooinbah worked with the Australian Agricultural Company on an 8000 head embryo transfer program involving Charolais and Senepol genetics, to meaningfully increase the productivity of the AA Co herd.
When that program ended the bold decision was made to establish an Angus, Ultrablack and Brangus breeding program to produce productivity lifting bulls for crossbred herds across the northern region.
Now fertility is the single greatest challenge for the northern industry.
- Nick Cameron, Nindooinbah
That decision saw the purchase of 650 top females from leading Victorian Angus breeder Harry Lawson and standout Angus and Brangus genetics brought in from the US. That stud cow herd has now grown to some 2500 head.
Four content types of Brangus bulls are produced: 50 per cent, 43.75pc, 37.5pc and 31.25pc Brahman content. The Ultrablack breed has a fixed 18.75pc Brahman content.
Nindooinbah now sells up to 800 bulls a year, and listed many of Australia's major pastoral companies among its clients.
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The intense focus on science has resulted in the development of a major genetics bank, which is used to identify the traits contributing to breeding decisions.
DNA samples from the more than 7000 animals bred on Nindooinbah since 18 collaborators drawn from four universities (the University of Queensland, QUT, James Cook, and UNE) to identify and unlock genetic traits the benefit the beef industry.
One of the standout research projects is identifying Brangus and Ultrablack cattle which are also tick resistant.
"We work very closely with our clients to understand what is required in terms of genetics," Mr Murdoch said.
"Obviously having tick resistant cattle is very desirable.
"We're driven by improving the northern beef industry, and we're very pleased to be making a meaningful difference."