York targets Woolies market

Mr York, in partnership with his brother Graham, runs cattle across a few properties in the Wallumbilla district and targets the Woolworths and trade cattle markets.

He said they tried to select British-type females to go over their Hereford-cross base.

"We're joining Limousin/Hereford cows with Charolais bulls and they are throwing a nice cross at the moment."

Mr York generally tends to buy herd bulls and said he looked at the eye muscle area and rib fat measurements before purchasing.

"The bull has to be fat when we buy it," he said.

"Because we breed trade type cattle we want to see what they look like at two or two-and-a-half years old.

"It's no good saying they will get fat at three years because none of our cattle get that old anyway."

The cattle are sent off to be custom fed at Smithfield Feedlot, Proston, when they hit 330 kilograms.

However, due to the dry season, Mr York said they were being sent off at closer to 300kg.

"We've been sending them to Smithfield Feedlot for nearly two years now and we're very happy with the way they operate," he said.

"We used to have our own feedlot but they [Smithfield] get a better weight gain and they have better access to consistent markets like Woolies."