At the Alexander Downs Merriwa property in the Hunter Valley, about 10 per cent of their 900 head Angus and Angus cross herd are joined back to Angus bulls to breed replacement females. The remaining 750 females are joined to Limousin bulls and other Euro bulls.
What they can’t breed themselves they selectively buy from other know producers with in the region.
These cattle become part of their fully integrated process business – from the pastures of the Upper Hunter to the plates of homes and restaurants from the Hunter Valley to Sydney is what makes Alexander Downs unique.
Fifth generation farmer and owner, Robert Gill, said they buy the best bulls that will suit their operation and their client’s needs.
High end genetics go hand in hand with producing the best beef.
“We bone a lot of these cattle out and we know we get the best results with the better bred cattle,” Mr Gill said.
“The best eating quality product is the focus in what we do, from breeding to feeding and now processing. Everyone must have a focus on eating quality.”
Stepping up and launching a seperate Limousin brand is anticipated to create incredible long-term, secure demand for the Limousin breed.
They aim to produce up to 500 carcases a week of Limousin cattle – a substantial amount for a branded breed program, and could potentially be the second largest breed based branded beef product in the country.
This will be a real win for the Limousin Breed and the Hunter beef producing region.
Heading the operation alongside Mr Gill are his two sons Stephen and Michael.
Mr Gill said he has always been interested in giving the consumer something that they enjoy.
“To be able to guarantee quality control, you have to handle the product at all stages of the supply chain yourself,” Mr Gill said.
After taking over the Kurri Abattoir, Alexander Downs’ employee numbers have now climbed to over 70.
Managing the wholesale part of the Alexander Downs business for nine years is Paul Wilson.
“Along with Paul we have a young, smart and enthusiastic team ready to move the business forward ,” Mr Gill said. “We have always had the attitude that people don’t work for us, they work with us. And I am very proud of the product that we produce.
“If you are trying to produce something that other people are going to buy to make money out of, you have to be absolutely spot on with what you do.
“It is important that whoever buys products off us, makes money.”
