Jamie Becker
Jamie Becker and his wife Ally, Alkoomie, Taroom, Queensland, run a successful Santa Gertrudis operation and pride themselves on delivering cattle fit to meet the meatworks market.
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Mr Becker grew up in the beef industry and it was a natural progression for him to first manage his parents’ property before buying the land last year. They breed and finish progeny on pasture and Mr Becker enjoys watching a calf grow to its full capacity, but production is not without its challenges.
“We’ve got to keep on top of government rules and agendas,” he said. “It’s an ongoing challenge but we’ve got to keep ahead to shore up our future.”
Daniel Phillips
Daniel and Kasey Phillips, Murgona Santa Gertrudis stud, Wandoan, Qld, have run their family operation from “Burradoo” since they married seven years ago.
Mr Phillips started the stud when he was 10, with a couple of original cows before buying 20 stud cows when he returned home after a building apprenticeship and doing a stint of mustering work. He prioritises a tropical style of Santa with big ears, soft skin, length and depth of body when selecting sires and females.
“We target the western market and our clients want cattle that can travel large distances,” he said.
Dean Hague
Dean Hague, his wife and parents own and operate Rockingham Santa Gertrudis stud from Condoblin, NSW.
The stud developed 49 years ago and Mr Hague left school at 15 knowing a life breeding beef cattle was in his blood. He is willing to adopt technology to avoid being “left behind.”
“I see the benefits of genomics in keeping track of animals that have produced quality stock,” he said. “A certain percentage should be selected on eye appeal because figures can only take you so far.”