Rhodes Pastoral – Advancing cattle breeding in Western Australia
LOCATION: BOYUP BROOK, WA
AVG ANNUAL RAINFALL: 550 mm
AREA MANAGED: 18,000 ha
Rhodes Pastoral has steadily built a reputation for quality cattle breeding in Western Australia, leveraging top genetics and strategic herd management to maximize productivity and profitability. Their journey into the beef industry has been marked by a commitment to continual improvement, with a focus on breeding superior Angus cattle.
Located in Boyup Brook, Western Australia, Rhodes Pastoral is an 18,000-hectare enterprise with a strong focus on both cattle and sheep production. The undulating country comprising medium to heavy soil types supports 850 breeder cattle alongside 25,000 breeding ewes. While traditionally a sheep-focused enterprise, the business expanded into cattle breeding approximately ten years ago and now runs a total Angus herd, alongside the sheep.
Evolution of the Business & Adoption of Angus Genetics
Over the past decade, the operation has refined its focus on breeding quality cattle using top genetics, engaging with other breeders, attending industry workshops, and prioritizing good nutrition.
“Our goal is to breed quality cattle by using top genetics, talking to other breeders, and always looking for ways to improve,” said Jonh Curtin, Cattle Manager, Rhodes Pastoral.
“Our herd has transitioned to a full Angus line, which has given us superior marketability, strong growth performance, and access to extensive industry resources”, added Mr Curtin.
Market Focus & Business Strategy
Rhodes Pastoral primarily markets steers to feedlots and has expanded into selling quality breeders, finding this approach increasingly beneficial.
“We’ve found that diversifying into selling quality breeders has opened up new opportunities for us,” Mr Curtin noted. “Selling quality breeders is proving to be more beneficial to us,” he explained.
Their key buyers, including Ucarty Holdings, require cattle with strong growth potential, structural soundness, and desirable traits such as birth weight, milk production, and frame size. The business maintains regular contact with buyers and weighs weaners frequently to ensure they meet market specifications. Feedback from buyers indicates strong growth performance, with some animals achieving gains of up to 2.1 kg per day.
Breeding & Genetic Strategy
The core breeding objectives of Rhodes Pastoral center around producing high-quality, high-yielding cattle through superior genetics.
“Our breeding program is about doing it right—being focused and paying attention to detail,” Mr Curtin stated.
Bull selection at Rhodes Pastoral prioritises traits such as good growth rates, low birth weights, and strong structural integrity.
The operation follows a structured joining process:
- Heifers are joined at 15 months, typically weighing over 450 kg.
- Bulls are run at a ratio of 1:35-40 cows for a 10-week joining period.
- Mating success rates range between 92-94%.
Herd Performance & Challenges
Rhodes Pastoral has observed measurable economic and production benefits from their genetic improvement and herd management strategies. Improved growth rates in maturing animals have led to greater returns on investment.
“We’ve seen better growth results in maturing animals,” Mr Curtin confirmed.
Challenges such as fertility management have been addressed through a combination of superior genetics, optimal nutrition, and adoption of new management techniques.
“Fertility has been a challenge, but by focusing on good nutrition and the right genetics, we’ve seen great improvements,” Mr Curtin noted.
“Our breeding program is all about precision and attention to detail,” He emphasised, highlighting what sets Rhodes Pastoral apart within the Western Australian beef industry. Their long-term goal is to establish a highly consistent herd that ranks among the top 5% in the industry.
Use of HeiferSELECT
Rhodes Pastoral began using HeiferSELECT in April 2024 to benchmark their herd against the national Angus breed.
“We wanted to see how we compared to the Angus breed across Australia,” Mr Curtin explained.
The program is currently being used to eliminate undesirable traits and improve uniformity within the herd.
Implementation & Impact
- Testing Approach: Weaners are initially screened visually by an external classer. The remaining 60% of weaner heifers are then tested at 12 months of age, prior to joining to remove undesirable breeders.
- Selection Criteria: Female replacement selection is based on temperament, growth potential and structural soundness. HeiferSELECT aids in removing lower-performing heifers before mating, helping elevate the average genetic merit of their herd.
- Benefits: While it has not yet changed their heifer selection process, HeiferSELECT provides an additional marketing tool for their breeder cattle.
Looking ahead, Rhodes Pastoral anticipates that HeiferSELECT will further influence sire selection and replacement heifer decisions.
Future Outlook & Innovations
Rhodes Pastoral aims to refine its genetic improvement strategy by developing a more consistent breeding herd within the top tier of the industry. They have also recently implemented a pre-weaning and weaning program that has significantly improved cattle weights while reducing stress.
Conclusion
Rhodes Pastoral exemplifies a strategic and progressive approach to cattle breeding in Western Australia. By leveraging Angus genetics, refining their breeding program, and integrating tools like HeiferSELECT, the business is well-positioned for sustained growth and market success. Their commitment to continuous improvement, genetic selection, and market-driven breeding strategies will help them achieve their goal of ranking among the industry’s top cattle producers.
– Hanlie Jansen, Extension Officer
