THEY may have only received 95mm of rain this year but cattle on Tony and Sandy Smith’s Dirranbandi property don’t show any signs of the drier conditions around them.
Heavy boned, strong cows and a mix of soils and pastures are what they credit for retaining condition on their Simmental cross herd.
The Smith family operate the 10,000 hectare property, Openbah, between St George and Dirranbandi, offloading about 400 weaners a year to either Roma or Dalby saleyards.
The consistency in their cattle spreads from the top to the tail, as they learnt in their first Beef Australia commercial cattle competition.
In December, the couple made a last minute decision to send 14 of the 17 remaining tail end weaners to Duaringa Station Feedlot, with 10 drawn for the competition.
While they had to transition from a dry to humid climate, the cattle surprised the Smiths and claimed second in the 560kg to 650kg milk to two tooth class before later selling for 312c/kg.
The couple are now a few weeks from their next weaner turnoff into Roma with GDL St George and despite trying conditions, the cattle are still in good condition.
“We could do with some rain very soon,” Mr Smith said.
“As you can see, coming from town, it just cuts off.”
The Smiths moved from Central Queensland to Dirranbandi about 15 years ago where they had been breeding Droughtmaster cattle.
But after Ms Smith’s father, Barry Cooke, had showed the success of the Simmental and Simbrah breeds, they continued with his genetic choices.
Angus bulls are put over first calf heifers before joining them to purchased or home bred bulls.
“Sandy’s father was in (Simmentals) and I had experience in Canada with them,” Mr Smith said.
“Barry and Doreen showed how the Simmental thrived in CQ and southern Queensland by consistently supplying high quality cattle to feedlotters and processors in all seasons.”
About 1011 hectares (2500 acres) on Openbah is used for cultivation with oats or barley usually planted in winter.
In recent years the couple have planted the pasture legume Progardes and are hoping to receive a good season to kickstart it and other improved pastures.
Trials of leucaena and saltbush are also on their agenda.
Mr Smith said their red and black soil mixture was a major benefit to their production.
“We’re lucky on this place that we have got a mixture of different country,” Mr Smith said.
“There are other people that have got all black or all red, we are in the middle of it and are made up a bit better.
“There are a few paddocks we haven’t ploughed for a few years because you are getting better value out of grass.”
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
