Rowanlea is a 6885 hectare property situated 40 kilometres south west of Calliope and is run in partnership with parents Bruce and Helen, and son Andrew and his wife Kate Chapman.
The family will open their gates as part of the Westpac property tour program during Beef 2018, on Friday, May 11.
Rowanlea is a mixture of creek flats and undulating hills which runs into steep ranges where the Chapman family usually maintain around 2500 head of cattle.
The herd consists of Santa Gertrudis and Brahman breeders, and includes the Rowanlea Santa Gertrudis Stud which is intensively performance recorded.
The past three generations of Chapmans have been pro-actively involved with research and development programs.
Currently the family is committed to an involvement in the MLA funded Repronomics and Northern BIN Steer projects.
To aid the efficient running of the operation, the family have developed what was predominately Black Spear grass country into high production grass/legume pasture.
The Chapmans continue to make improvements to aid pasture spelling by rotational grazing, dividing paddocks including laneway systems and water improvements.
They have modern cattle yard facilities to handle procedures needed to record such as intensive data collection and breeding soundness evaluations.
With a balance of improved pasture development and management, animal data recording and processing, and practical management, the Chapmans aim to meet their breeding objectives of producing cattle on a coastal environment to meet the EU and Grasslands markets.
The steer and cull heifer progeny are transferred to their property at Jambin to be finished on predominately leucaena pastures.
Beef Australia Board Member, Ken Murphy, believes the tour to Rowanlea will give people a great insight into the operations of a coastal grazing property.
“Rowanlea is a picturesque, high quality coastal property grazing both stud and commercial Santa Gertrudis cattle,” Mr Murphy said.
“If you are looking for a platinum experience, take the helicopter tour to Rowanlea, and it will not disappoint.”
Tickets are $1250 and are available to purchase from the Beef Australia website: http://beefaustralia.com.au/
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
