Autumn Update: Full Days and Full Freezers
Autumn is always busy, but it’s also one of the best times of year to get things done before winter sets in. This season, we wrapped up calving, tackled fence repairs after a once-in-a-generation storm, sowed pasture to boost winter feed, stacked firewood, and sent steers off for processing – with a quick side trip to Rockhampton for Beef Week 2024.
Rainfall was patchy – when it rained, it poured, but March and May were otherwise dry. Here’s what we recorded:
- March: 18.6 mm (2023: 72.6 mm)
- April: 140 mm (2023: 79.2 mm)
- May: 28.6 mm (2023: 87.8 mm)
The dry conditions made fencing easier, but we did need to dip into our hay reserves to bridge the feed gap between summer and the autumn break.
Calving
We welcomed the last of our 2024-drop calves in March. The first photo below shows a first-calver born and bred at Willarah Farm with her sweet little heifer. Her sister (third photo) also delivered a heifer — they’re almost identical! Both cows are descended from some of our most productive lines, so they, and likely their calves, will be retained in the herd. We’re excited to watch this new generation grow into their place on the farm.
Pasture Improvement
At the end of March, we pulled the old Connor Shea drill out of the shed and sowed ryegrass and clover into two paddocks that needed a boost. We don’t use herbicides or synthetic fertilisers, so the process takes a few extra steps:
- Grazing down – We use high-density grazing to reduce existing grass. While many farmers would use herbicide here, cows do the job and leave behind some natural fertiliser.
- Harrowing – We drag harrows to break up manure and flatten dead grass, creating a clean seedbed. Conventional farms might plough at this point, but we avoid bare soil to protect soil carbon and structure.
- Seeding – Timing is everything. We seeded just before a welcome 40 mm of rain, perfect for germination.
- Boosting growth – Once seedlings appeared, we sprayed with Pasturemasta, a certified-organic liquid seaweed tonic that supports early growth and soil health.
These paddocks will help fatten our next batch of steers, destined for our late spring/early summer beef release. At 18–20 months old, they’ll be just the right age for tender, flavour-packed, grass-fed beef.
Fence Repairs
In April, we began repairing fences after the destructive ‘Boonado’ storm that hit Mirboo North on 13 February. We’ve replaced old sheep mesh with three electrified wires. This not only cleans up the fence line visually but also allows easier movement for native wildlife like wombats and wallabies.
Once the perimeter fencing is complete, we’ll install additional internal fences to support rotational grazing. This will improve rest times for pasture and boost overall productivity. Repairs will continue through winter (and yes, I probably should be out there working instead of writing this!).
Autumn Beef Run
May was a big month. We sent the steers to Radfords for processing, then jumped on a plane to Rockhampton for Beef 2024 (no point waiting around while they hang, may as well have a holiday!).
When we got home, Ben from Murphy’s Meats prepared our ‘small freezer packs’ — each around 13 kg of beef, covering a cross-section of cuts. The carcass yield exceeded expectations (Speckle Park do tend to deliver well), and we filled all 12 orders from a single steer.
For the second steer, we offered 1/8th carcass packs (around 20 kg), based on advice from our butcher. A quick social media post and we were sold out in days — the ideal result! Early feedback has been really positive, which means a lot after the care we put into the process.
Beef 2024
We had a fantastic time at Beef Week 2024 in Rockhampton. You could easily spend days exploring the exhibitions, stalls, and (of course) the cattle! Almost every beef breed was represented — a great opportunity to chat with breeders and learn about the pros and cons of each. The Brahmans were a hit with the kids, though they might struggle in a cold Gippsland winter!
There was something for everyone, from kids’ activities to nightlife, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit in 2027.
