Brave decisions in the past lead to success in a tricky season

Combined with an influx of new genetics and synchronised joining it has allowed their previous herd to take advantage of growth.

A decision to destock ahead of the drought, when prices were at their peak, now means there is enough grass going into winter to take advantage of the beef market, affording exciting prospects when the season turns.

Twenty years ago Brett and Gemma Porter came home to the picturesque place, which rolls up against the eastern facing hills below Werrikimbe. They took over from Brett's parents, running the family's Devon-based herd and starting a sawmill. Brett concentrated on the timber side of the business while Ms Porter took care of the cattle. In short order the ambitious couple initiated new ways of doing things. Their speed of change caused initial consternation. Later, it was to yield spectacular results.

Advanced yard weaning was a start and Mr Porter admitted he was skeptical too, with tradition dictating calves come off the cow looking best ahead of market, but weaned and educated progeny that wait for grain commanded as much as $15 a head premium from backgrounders and feedlotters.

Confining two broad paddocks into 36 cells came at a cost, but electric fencing proved quick and effective, provided the energiser was powerful enough. Two of them, capable of pushing 630km have so far done the trick, but the couple may add a third. The rotational grazing that followed, allowing 300 breeders three day access to a cell before 30 days of rest, with three times that during winter, delivered more holding capacity while retaining paddock health.

"Now cattle just have to hear the sound of a quad bike and they know we are coming to let them into a fresh paddock," Ms Porter said. "Once they've been moved four or five times they know what's up.

"We knew we increased carrying capacity because we kept adding cows and didn't lose grass."

To tighten the calving window Ms Porter adopted synchronised ovulation, preparing cows on a rising plain of nutrition before suddenly switching direction - by letting cows into an already grazed paddock for a few days. The stress helps throw eggs. Bulls are introduced when this practice is repeated for the third time, for a six week joining. Now, consistent lines of calves are sent off the property by the deck load. With the Porter's change of focus, from breeding to agisting and now buying in heifers, they treat cattle on arrival with Cydectin, 7:1, and a double dose of vitamin B12. The $7 a head is cheap insurance.

Brett and Gemma Porter began to improve their cattle enterprise by mustering all the property's inherited Shorthorn/Devon , which began in beef as Devon over dairy.

Traditional practices dictated that calving occurred year round. The new managers developed and implemented a complete drenching program. During drafting they reduced original breeders by half, keeping the larger framed animals.

Santa Gertrudis bulls were introduced to increase frame, along with Gromor Bonsmara bulls for their heifers plus Weebollabolla Shorthorn for softness. The hybrid was crossed back to the Devons, regarded for do-ability. In fact, Brett said, Wonderhill's most consistent weight gain from cattle came from straight Devon, strip grazed.

As the market called loudly for a differently approach to breed the Porters took a punt. Two years ago at peak prices they sold the lot. The profits paid down debt and have allowed them to pursue a different path.

Initially they opened their property to agistment, maintaining control by managing the cattle themselves. As the market fell they realised they could take advantage of new price realities and restock with little risk.

Going into winter, with grass at belly high, they have bought in deckloads of heifers, Angus and some Hereford, anticipating big demand when the drought breaks.

"With steers they can only get fatter, with heifers we have so many options," Ms Porter said.