Echo Valley Farm, Ascot Cattle Company: Southern Downs producers set for best ever breeding season
The region could be on the cusp of the best cattle breeding season in more than a decade, with consistent rainfall across autumn and winter, combined with predictions of a warm spring bringing a new dawn for battling producers.
Warwick
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Southern Downs cattle producers are expecting their most successful breeding season ever next month, as their farms benefit from this year’s positive weather conditions.
After years of dry weather conditions as well as devastating droughts and bushfires and the effects of Covid, Southern Downs farmers are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel with their farms receiving consistent autumn and winter rainfall.
Echo Valley Farm owner Randal Breen said that the good steady rain over past months left him with amazing subsoil moisture.
“Moisture means grass and grass is what we feed our cattle,” he said.
“A lot of calves are born in September, October and November and that’s when the warmer season starts and because there is a lot of grass on the ground those mothers can keep producing milk and help calves to grow.”
Mr Breen said having plenty of grass is financially beneficial as it means he is able to grow livestock quicker and grow more plants for future seasons.
“From our short time here for the last eight years, I would say this is the best full season weather that we’ve ever seen,” he said.
Ascot Cattle Company principal Jim Wedge said the regular rainfall has been a positive.
“This is probably the most favourable season and outlook for the beef industry since we’ve been here over the last 13 years,” he said.
“It means that we’ve got plenty of food going forward for our livestock and this is beneficial for the business as it reduces costs and makes us more profitable,” he said.
Rain events are the key indicator of market performance, and both Mr Wedge and Mr Breen agree that after years of drought they are hoping that this season’s turnout is positive for the agriculture industry and results in a stronger cattle market.
“There is a lot of positivity in the marketplace of cattle, and this means keeping the cattle prices higher, which is a positive for us,” Mr Wedge said.
Meat and Livestock Australia’s information manager Stephen Bignell said the breeding season outlook was encouraging with a positive spring expected for many eastern states’ producers.
“With a favourable three-month weather outlook signalling a strong spring, average adult carcass weights are set to rise significantly leading to higher weight gain,” Mr Bignell said.
Mr Bignell said this improved weight is beneficial to producers as it increases the overall price value of the animal.
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