PRODUCING outstanding steers has become a mission for the Goodland family, which runs both a stud and commercial operation on their Theodore property Clare.
Alan Goodland said he was highly impressed by the combination of Charolais and Brahman genetics. The cross was the "near perfect article", he said.
"There's plenty of hybrid vigour to produce what is a tremendous carcase animal," Mr Goodland said.
We want to bring softness with the Charolais, but with plenty of power that comes from the Brahman.
- Alan Goodland, Clare, Theodore
"We want to bring softness with the Charolais, but with plenty of power that comes from the Brahman."
Clare runs 800 commercial cows plus 200 stud Charolais females on about 6680 hectares of forest country at between Theodore and Cracow. The Goodlands also use 1200ha at Wandoan to grow out heifers.
The progressive cattle operation, which was an early adopter of Charolais genetics, is run by Alan and Natalie Goodland and Alan's parents parents Neil and Janet.
The proof is certainly in the pudding. The Goodland's pen of 10 was named the grand champion at the recent Biggenden steer show, a repeat performance on 2018. The other time the Goodlands presented cattle at Biggenden in 2016, those steers were named the champion Charolais infused pen.
In recent years the Clare has concentrated on producing 400-500kg feeder cattle. However, a percentage of the steers are still taken through to 300kg-plus carcase weights. They are processed at Teys Australia's Biloela plant under the accredited Grasslands branded beef program.
Mr Goodland said he preferred cows in the 550-600kg cows weight bracket.
"We're not looking for extremes," he said.
"We want productive, mid-range cattle deliver the best carcase animal we can achieve. The combination of Charolais and Brahman genetics are certainly doing it for us in this country."
The cow herd is joined from the end of October over a four months period with the aim of having the majority of the calves on the ground in August, September and October. Heifers are joined from mid-October.
Mr Goodland said each mob of cows was run between two paddocks.
"We don't rotational graze as such, but we are always trying to keep some country locked up by having two paddocks dedicated to each mob."
In addition to the 375ha which is prepared for winter oats each year, Clare also has 200ha of established leucaena. Mr Goodland said he was looking to increase the area of country under the high protein fodder tree.
Clare sells up to 40 Charolais bulls a year. The top 20 to 25 are sold at the Eidsvold Charolais sale in September. The balance are sold out of the paddock.
