While Craig and Latisha Mace have trialled many breeds on Toorilla Plains, in the Stanage area, the Brangus has proven to be the breed best suited for their country for more than 30 years.
Craig represents the fourth generation of the Mace family on Toorilla Plains (purchased in 1929) which consists of 9713ha, split between 4047ha of marine plains and 5666ha of forest country.
Their decision to sell their surplus cattle during the dry of 2019, when they received 265mm for the year, has worked out beneficially for them this year.
"In combination with the 800mm we've had to date this year, our country has had a really good spell," Mr Mace said.
He said the hardiness of the Brangus was evident last year, and is a major reason why they've utilised the breed for three decades.
"Out of the breeds with tried, we also found that the Brangus gets to the weight we need at the right age for us meet the requirements of the EU MSA market.
To source the right type of bull to produce the article they require, the Maces have been buying from the ABCA Rockhampton Brangus Sale since they introduced the breed onto Toorilla Plains.
"The Rockhampton sale is where the best Brangus bulls are. These days we buy the majority of our bulls from the Saunders family at Pheasant Creek Stud. We also purchase bulls from out of their paddock."
"The most important thing we look for in sale bulls is there temperament. That's the reason I go to the Rocky sale. It's why I like the Pheasant Creek bulls, as Brad Saunders is very hard on selecting for temperament."
In a normal season, the Maces bulls are joined with the females from December to May.
"We cull any females that don't produce a calf and any with temperament issues, and if we have too many breeders, cows over 10 years-old are the first to go.
"Being stringent with our selection process has provided us with a highly fertile female herd. Our fertility rate is usually around 84pc, though when we preg-tested this year we achieved 88pc, which was an exceptional result for us. I put this most recent figure down to the fact that we were hand feeding everything during the dry."
He said the steers produced through this mating are sold at more than 340kg as two and a half year-olds, while the heifers are sold to the feedlots or kept on and fattened if the season is good enough.
"All of our EU MSA Accredited cattle are sold to Teys Rockhampton while cows are sold on to JBS Rockhampton.
"About three weeks ago we sent three decks of EU MSA bullocks averaging three-teeth, that came back at 370kg dressed at $2420 per head."
