CLIENT SUCCESS

The Meadows Angus started operating in 1994 and prides itself on producing top end Angus females and bulls for both seedstock and commercial clients. Under the direction of Damien and Kristina Sotter and the principles Phil and Jenny Gilbert, The Meadows has built a large client base spanning NSW, QLD and VIC.

One Victorian client enjoying great success with The Meadows' genetics is Mrs Jane Mosley of Briagolong, Central Gippsland. Jane runs 110 Angus breeding cows on 250ha of improved pastures of ryegrass, clovers, phalaris and cocksfoot in a 620mm rainfall district. She is looking to increase this to 150 high quality breeding cows, using a strict culling procedure. Jane's focus is on producing 350-500kg, 12mth old calves for the Melbourne market, usually selling direct to supermarkets or butcher shops.

After short joining periods and subsequent selling of empty cows after pregnancy testing, cows are also culled on temperament and structure where required. Furthermore, Jane is also grading her cows, and selling off the worst performers, for calf weaning weight as a percentage of dam's weight. In her latest crop of calves by The Meadows bulls and from cows purchased from The Meadows, 7½ month old mixed sex calves averaged 318kg at weaning. This was on average, 51% of the dams' weight. With the range being 33% to 75%, the bottom end of the cows will be sold off to increase efficiency. This continued process will rapidly optimise the efficient conversion of grass to beef on her farm, something all farmers will be striving for in the face of climate change and the future need for reduced green house gas production.