Beyond the Bull with Centralian Beef Breeders
Twenty enthusiastic Northern Territory pastoralists took part in the inaugural Beyond the Bull workshop last Thursday, marking the first of a three-part mentoring series tailored specifically to Central Australian beef producers.
The workshop was hosted in collaboration with the Centralian Beef Breeders and delivered by Angus Australia’s Special Projects Manager, Jake Phillips. It explored breeding program design, understanding Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), and aligning cattle selection to target markets. Participants also took part in live cattle assessment, which prompted a lively discussion on breeding balanced cows suited to the Central Australian environment while utilising bulls that meet southern market specifications.
Adding to the day’s learning, guest presenter Ross Stanes of Lyndavale Cattle Co shared insights from their large-scale breeding enterprise of around 5,000 cows located across the South Australian and Northern Territory border. More than two-thirds of the Lyndavale Cattle Co herd is based on Angus genetics. Ross showcased their breeding objectives and the lessons learned in adapting to challenging environments, providing inspiration and practical takeaways for the group.
Jake said the participants showed genuine enthusiasm and commitment to continuous improvement.
“They were eager to learn and to make informed decisions that will really lift the performance of their herds,” he said. “Together we created practical breeding objectives tailored to each participant’s property around Alice Springs, which was a great outcome for the first session.”
Angus Australia CEO Scott Wright was also in attendance and commented “It was great to attend the Centralian Beef Breeders workshop. This was an amazing group of young people who p
osed some of the best questions we have seen at our workshops. We appreciate the time and investment these breeders have put into this venture and also the trust they have shown in our society. We believe Angus can thrive in central Australia however the success does need education and preparation. This was a great step and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”
Jake agreed, adding “We’re really looking forward to seeing what this partnership can achieve into the future.”
The Beyond the Bull initiative is designed as a progressive mentoring pathway for producers refining their breeding and genetic decisions. The second workshop, to be held online in January, will build on the first session’s outcomes, while the final face-to-face workshop will take place in mid-2026 in Alice Springs as the culmination of this pilot series.
