| Betty & Susie |
The initial process required we applied for a PIC number (Property Identification Code) from the DPI (Department of Primary Industry), a requirement of rural properties in Queensland for the keeping and movement of livestock.
Primarily
our cows have kept the grass down in the paddock, so reduced our overall maintenance,
with the ultimate intent of providing beef for the freezer.
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| Betty |
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| Bart- poddy |
Our next pair were ‘poddy calves’ and came to us at
four days old, requiring hand rearing. This was a wonderful experience and
makes for exceptionally quiet house cows; though I would not advise this method
of acquiring cattle for everyone. As it is very involved and requires
commitment, and you inevitably become attached.
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| Ruby- poddy |
Again these were a Brahman and a Brahman-Charolais cross,
as they were purchased from the local meat works. And Brahmans and
Droughtmasters are especially popular in the tropics due to their resistance to
ticks, which can be a huge problem. But being a small smallholding, such large
animals were not sustainable over the long term.
Therefore we have spent time researching various alternative
breeds and availability for our eventual breed purchase, once we “had an
opening”.
We considered a few options, eventually deciding to invest
in couple of Australian Lowline cattle from a local beef and livestock producer.
The result of a few meetings at various agricultural
shows and local food producers functions. Their enthusiasm for the produce, and
quality of their produce were enough to lead us to inquire, once the time came.
Although not a heritage breed (as are with our other
livestock choices) Australian Lowline cattle are descended from Aberdeen Angus (a well known heritage breed).
The result of an Australian Meat Research Corporation funded trail within New
South Wales between 1973 and 1992.
The outcome was an animal approx. 30% smaller than the
original breed. Of which a group of interested cattlemen persuaded the
Department of Agriculture to sell to the open market, forming the Australian
Lowline Cattle Association, August 1992.
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| Meet Ainsley (steer) & Margo (heifer) |
This recent
Australian developed breed requires up to 40% less feed per head (compared to
larger breed such as Brahmans)due to their smaller stature; allowing us to
sustain 2 animals on a long term basis.
Their smaller size, docile nature (another
positive trait) and being naturally polled (so they don’t develop horns) mean
they are easy to train, less destructive upon their environment (ground,
fencing etc.) and therefore (hopefully) less maintenance. But it also makes
them an ideal choice for use around children, something we have not been required
to consider in the past.
Their smaller
stature and carcass make them more compatible with home butchering, and whilst
this does equate to less meat per animal come D-day, the bone to meat ratio of
the carcass should be better. With prime cuts such as the eye fillet should be
up to 30% larger than larger breeds (such as Brahmans) and the naturally
marbled meat (without the need for grain feeding) offering a quality end
product.
This breed
are also considered highly fertile and ‘easy calving’, with calves typically
weighs 18 to 24kg- an advantage to novice breeders. An option that would not be
possible upon a block the size of ours, with larger breeds.
