IT'S one of Australian agribusiness' biggest success stories, involving a 4500-kilometre road haul of livestock with not one loss, the establishment of what has become a showcase beef enterprise in China and the adoption of Australian livestock management practices and animal welfare standards internationally.
At it's core was Australian-bred Angus heifers, selected for their ability to perform under extreme conditions and deliver a product that commands a premium price.
Queensland-based global livestock exporter Austrex's contract to supply breeder cattle to China, known as the Bortala Project, has also collected the prestigious 2015 Coopers Animal Health Cattle Well-being Award.
Austrex managing director Justin Slaughter said the project involved transforming a site that was essentially "bare ground", on the edge of the Kazakhstan border in the Xinjiang Province of far-western China, into a beef operation that would serve as a role model for the country.
Austrex sent internationally-respected cattle specialists to consult on everything from facility design and construction to management and animal welfare.
In just 60 days, the multi-million dollar enterprise was operational.
Austrex's technical team selected Angus as the appropriate breed due to their suitability to the extreme conditions - cattle had to handle both plus and minus 40 degrees.
"We hosted our Chinese partners on a tour of the US, Uruguay and Australia to demonstrate how Angus cattle performed and calved down in their natural environment, both covered in ice and snow in Montana and in extreme hot and dry conditions in Australia," Mr Slaughter said.
"After observing how the Angus breed performed globally, it was agreed they were one of the most adaptable beef cattle breeds and would suit the location's tough climate.
"The breed was also considered to have great potential marketing impact in China, following successful campaigns in other parts of the world."
Mr Slaughter said Austrex's experience shipping Angus into Russia also gave the company the confidence to encourage Angus as the prime choice of breed.
Cattle were sourced throughout Australia's southern regions, including NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
More than 5000 certified Australian Angus cattle were selected during an eight-week period.
They also had to meet the China Export protocol in relation to disease status and blood testing requirements.
Austrex managed the entire technical side of the project and reported the heifers were performing outstandingly, having now calved and come through their first winter.
They have wind breaks and a simple fodder diet but a refined program of minerals and vitamins.
"With no undercover shedding, the heifers have come through their first harsh winter in excellent condition," said Austrex chief operating officer James Leftwich.
"National industry figures place them as the best-conditioned breeding herd of beef cattle after winter within China.
"Bortala will now be the showcase of a successful beef operation in China."
Austrex has exported more than 350,000 head of cattle to China and the Bortala Project means more will be supplied.
