Brahmans the choice for Rule

Eight years ago Laurie purchased the 6970 acre Cleethorpes and more recently the 4712 acre Chester properties where he runs his 400 head breeder herd.

Laurie said the weaner steers produced are sold at CQLX Gracemere when they hit 220kg, while fat cattle go are sold direct to the meatworks.

“I've always preferred using Brahmans as they have a docile nature, have excellent bone and a tidy backline, are consistently fertile, and are tick resistant,” he said.

Laurie has also used Droughtmaster bulls which he put over the Brahman heifers, with the cross progeny then sold on, and he’s recently bought a couple of Charolais bulls which will be used in a similar way.

“I like to use the Brahmans for breeding and the cross cattle for selling, I find Brahmans are the best breeding stock because they maintain their condition in our climatic conditions here very well.”

Since he was a young boy, Laurie has had a strong interest in cattle, and recalls helping his brothers and father, Frank, out around his property situated at Rules Beach, which was a beef and dairy operation.

“Until the mid-1960’s, Dad would also drive cattle on horseback to the Rosedale Railway Station for graziers in the region, which were taken by train to the meatworks in Rockhampton.

“It was also around this time that our family bought our first two purebred stud Brahman bulls out of Gracemere during the Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale.”

While Laurie has purchased bulls from several vendors for use in his commercial herd, in recent years he has mainly bought them from Cleethorpes Red Brahman Stud owned by his sons Scott and Michael and daughter-in-law Racheal.

“The Cleethorpes bulls are hardier, better acclimatised to this country, and work better with my cows.”

Laurie said the best thing about the job is that you’re your own boss.

“It’s hard work, but you’re doing something for yourself, and being able to work side by side with my family is also very rewarding.”