Lawrence Sehmish-Lahey
Lawrence Sehmish-Lahey was born into the business of breeding beef cattle and started getting his hands dirty from an early age.
His family has farmed in the Goondiwindi area since 1965. He helped in his family’s commercial beef operation and was lead show hand for the Nindethana Droughtmaster stud, Camp Mountain. By spending time with cattle, “you can keep a close eye on where your herd is going genetically by observing and recording traits you want to improve or continue”, he said.
Genomics ticked many boxes, although accessibility and cost effectiveness still required work, he said.
Anna Hicks
Anna Hicks, Billabong, Moura, Qld, knew from an early age she wanted to spend her life supplying the beef industry with quality Droughtmaster genetics.
Ms Hicks said the stud, owned by her family since the 1960s, had fostered her love of progression within breeding, particularly the challenge of predicting the type of animal she could produce from a combination of genetics. Natural selection was a big component of her business and she tried to keep the breeding program streamlined. Genomics would play an increasing role but producers needed to focus on the physical side of what they do, she said.
Leonie Nicolls
Leonie Nicolls started Cambroon Park Droughtmasters, Blackbutt, Qld, in 2014 after growing up in her parents’ commercial cattle business and showing led steers.
Miss Nicolls said the opportunities for industry growth were endless and she enjoyed the malleability of cattle breeding. There were also challenges in starting a solo business, namely monetary.
“It’s a big output for little income at the start and you need to be really passionate and trust you’ll get somewhere because there are plenty of road blocks,” she said.
Breeding systems were becoming more advanced and science was the cornerstone for improvement. She hoped to gain more market direction for her business.