Why increased breeder numbers are beef's future

The Wells – who are based at Golden Arrow, Hannaford, and run the business in conjunction with David’s father Terry – usually run 1100 to 1200 breeders on 8100-hectares of country on properties at Hannaford and Talwood. 

Cow numbers are currently back to about 900 head but they hope to be running about 1500 Angus and Angus-cross breeders as seasons improved.

“Our usual market has been to sell 380-400kg steers into the feedlots,” Mr Wells said.

“Last year we were selling 18-month-old steers for about $850 to the feedlots. Now we are selling six to nine-month-old weaners for $900.

“It is in our interest to free up country by selling our sale cattle at a much younger age – it will allow us to increase breeder numbers.”

The Wells recently sold 225kg EU-accredited Angus steers on AuctionsPlus for 410c/kg to return $925/head.

“Based on what we had seen in the market we had set a reserve of 350c and were hoping for around the 370-380c mark,” Mr Wells said.

“We were just blown away.”

Mr Wells said the improved profitability of the beef industry would allow producers to invest in the future of their businesses.

"We have to be able to generate the capital that will allow us to invest in the improvements that will get us on the front foot and  get better at what we are doing,” he said.

Improvements in the Wells’ cattle business have included the introduction of telemetry to monitor remote water stations and the use of medicated water to promote productivity and herd health. 

While they have switched out of grain production, the Wells grow 80ha of oats for their commercial Angus sale bulls. The herd dates back to the 1960s and is based mainly on Booroomooka bloodlines.

“Everyone is certainly very interested to see how the cattle market unfolds,” Mr Wells said.

“It would be very nice to have a crystal ball to see where the cattle market will be once it does rain in Queensland.”