A MOVE away from cropping to an operation focused solely on beef production has highlighted the importance of getting the foundations of breeding management spot on for Kingaroy producers Hugh and Rosslyn Campbell.
Working in conjunction with their three adult daughters Prue, Nicola and Kirsty, the Campbells are running 700 EU-accredited Brangus and Santa-cross breeders on the adjoining properties, Greystonlea and Warragai.
Near Ironpot, 60 kilometres west of Kingaroy, the aggregation covers 4500 hectares and is complemented by the family's 360ha fattening block Jerrarah, at nearby Kumbia.
The Campbells have traditionally focused on both cropping and beef production, aiming to sell the progeny as weaners, but recently decided to convert to a business based on beef.
"We have converted most of our cropping land to pasture or oats, and we are going to switch over to just breeding and fattening for the EU market," Mr Campbell said.
"We are at 700 and are aiming to get to 800 breeders. We want the progeny to all be sold into the EU market finished, so we need to turn them off between 240 and 300kg dressed at milk and two-tooth."
Mr Campbell has run Brangus bulls for the past "15 to 20 years", and had a few extremes to consider when deciding on foundation genetics for his herd.
While parts of his breeding country run to some fairly hostile hills, much of the Campbells' fattening country at Kumbia is as sweet as you will find anywhere in the South Burnett.
After weighing it up, Mr Campbell said he could not go past Brangus for his breeding herd.
"The cows are particularly hardy and fertile, which suits us, as our breeder country is pretty hilly and the progeny, because they are black, have always sold really well as weaners.
"We do crossbreeding all the time, and will actually use Brangus bulls over Santa cows and Santa bulls over Brangus cows at various times."
ABOUT THE CAMPBELL METHOD
- The Campbells control-mate from September through to January, and pregnancy test all breeders annually.
"We usually preg-test in June and we cull any empties, as well as anything that turns up without a calf," Mr Campbell said.
"I have lots of arguments with the girls in my family who believe the cows should be given a second chance, but ultimately nothing stays that doesn't produce a calf."
- The Campbell family are among some of the earliest producers to target the EU market.
They acknowledge the market has had "its ups and downs", but say it has generally been a "very sound market".
They recently sold some finished EU heifers direct to works, averaging about $1500/head for the mob.
"We probably missed the very top of the market, but it is still the best money we've ever received for cull heifers," Mr Campbell said.