Open Day
OPen day 2026 ~ Thurs Aug 13
Most of us would dearly love to simply concentrate on managing cattle — and looking at the next generation of bulls certainly makes that an appealing option. The reality, though, is that running a grazing business now involves many more layers. Environmental regulation, carbon, biodiversity, pasture monitoring, genetics and productivity are all becoming increasingly intertwined.
One of the aims of the Open Day was to bring some of those conversations together and give landholders access to people and tools that may help make sense of it all.
A particular area of discussion was the increasing responsibility on landholders to understand the environmental attributes of their properties before undertaking activities such as clearing or infrastructure development. The important message for me was that there are now some very useful tools available to help us better understand what is on our country, document its condition and make more informed decisions.
We heard from Phil Tickle from Cibo Labs about pasture monitoring and the development of tools such as LandLens. I have been particularly impressed by the accuracy of LandLens across a number of locations and can see considerable value in using this type of technology to document country before works are undertaken, as well as monitoring how landscapes change over time.
We also discussed the value of property-specific environmental mapping through AgCarE’s Nature Ledger. For us, the real benefit is being able to identify areas that may warrant further investigation before making management decisions, rather than finding out afterwards that there is an issue.
For landholders needing more detailed interpretation, there are also people working in this space who can help translate increasingly complex information into something that can actually be used in a grazing business. That is important. Most producers do not have either the time or the specialist knowledge to become experts in every new area that affects their business.
The day also included discussion around soil carbon and the opportunities — and complexities — associated with carbon projects. This is another area where having access to people who understand both the technical detail and agricultural businesses is valuable.
Importantly, the Open Day was not simply about regulation, carbon or environmental management. At the centre of our business remains the same fundamental objective: producing more efficient, fertile cattle that perform in their environment and meet the market.
And on that point, Ben Hewitt finished the day with a message that I think is worth keeping front of mind.
I like Ben’s ability to cut through.
A key part of his message was that if we are improving productivity on farm — and better genetics is part of that — we are going a long way towards improving our carbon balance as well.
More fertility, better growth and cattle that consistently meet market carcase requirements remain some of our best tools for both making money and maintaining agriculture’s social licence.
That is a fairly simple message in what is becoming an increasingly complicated operating environment, and probably a good one to finish on.
Thank you again to everyone who attended, contributed to the discussions and helped make the day worthwhile.
Useful resources for landholders
A number of organisations and individuals involved with the Open Day may be useful starting points for landholders wanting to explore these areas further.
AgCarE – Mark Pawsey
AgCarE provides property-specific environmental information through its Nature Ledger service, helping landholders identify areas that may require closer consideration under environmental legislation.
Cibo Labs – Phil Tickle
Cibo Labs develops satellite-based pasture monitoring and decision-support tools for grazing businesses, including LandLens and other technologies designed to better understand pasture condition and landscape change.
Isidore Agri + Eco Solutions – James Henderson and team
Isidore provides more detailed environmental and agricultural consultancy services, including interpretation of environmental data, biodiversity considerations and practical pathways for landholders navigating increasingly complex requirements.
Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association – Charisse Anderson and team
DCCA provides local support to landholders across a broad range of environmental, land-management and natural-resource matters and remains a useful regional source of knowledge and connections.
Elders Soil Carbon – Dr Thakur Bhattarai
Dr Bhattarai works with landholders considering soil carbon projects and provides specialist advice around carbon farming, project development and the practical implications for agricultural businesses.
gyranda open day history
~ 2025 ~
All about the cow
Reproductive performance remains the single most important driver of profitability in commercial breeding herds, according to veterinarian Ian Croft, who addressed the topic at the Gyranda open day ‘all about the cow’ session. Mr Croft (Taroom Vet), who works extensively with commercial and stud operations across Queensland, outlined the critical performance indicators that determine whether a herd is operating efficiently: conception rates, branding rates, weaning rates, and age structure.
He stressed that empty females, particularly empty second-calvers, are the most costly animals on a property.
“They’ve had every input cost put into them… all the vaccinations, management, and feed, and yet they aren’t producing a calf,” he said. He warned they also “miss the best sale windows”, making them even more expensive to keep. Mr Croft encouraged producers to “keep a young cow herd and constantly improve your genetics”, noting that “older cows, especially in harder country, have a significant drop in performance after about 10 years of age.”
When it came to replacements, he said the key decision was when to start them breeding – and that depends on hitting critical weight targets. “You’ve got to know your mature cow weight,” he said. “In Bos indicus and composite herds, you need heifers to be 65 per cent of that [mature cow] weight before joining. “If they’re too light, your conception rate goes down, and the ones that do get in calf often take longer to get back in calf.”
He also recognised that some producers can successfully join yearlings. “They’ve got to have the feedbase, genetics, and management to make it work,” he said.
“For others, you’re better off waiting until those heifers are heavier and more mature. “The long-term productivity is often better.”
He urged producers to “run the numbers on your own herd” rather than relying on assumptions. “If you think you’re getting more calves out of joining younger, put it in a spreadsheet and see what you’re really averaging,” he said.
(CLICK HERE to read the full article by Bella Hanson p.14 Queensland Country Life, 22 Aug 2025)
Ian was followed up by a panel session with Rodger Jefferis of Elrose Brahmans, Peter Mahony of Gyranda Santa Gertrudis, Fiona Skinner of NK Brahmans, and Brad Hanson of Bullakeana Brangus/Ultrablacks. Three out of the four producers also presented at least a pen of females, allowing visitors to see the breeding philosophies in practice. Their answers revealed both contrasting approaches and shared priorities. It was a fantastic informative session with a great presentation on the long-term implications of when you decide to join your females.
(CLICK HERE to read the full article, Four Breeders, Four Approaches to heifer mating and why)
~ 2024 ~
~ biodiversity, emerging technologies & opportunities
A week of unseasonal heavy rain did not deter 85 people from rolling up through the mud puddles to Gyranda’s annual Open Day. The heavy fog and grey skies burnt off to a glorious day and plenty of discussion. Students from St Ursulas College, Yeppoon and Taroom State High School enjoyed moving their classroom outdoors for the day. Armed with EBV data and curious minds, they inspected the sale bulls on display and peppered speakers with questions.
David Johnston from the University of New England zoomed in to update on technological changes and impacts on industry research outcomes. Paul Williams from ABRI Extension Services introduced and explained the new breed indexes and what they mean for breeding animal selection and analysis of herds. James Henderson (Isidore Natural Capital) segued into natural capital/biodiversity baselines and how genetic measures are playing a part in the beef carbon equation. Ewan Crook demonstrated Vence Virtual fencing. AGnVET Theodore once again sponsored steaks and a few tents.
CLICK HERE For more information on AgCarE – to measure, manage and demonstrate the full natural capital of your property through an independent assessment.
In the previous month, the ever willing Gyranda crew have been; measuring birthweights and tagging calves as they start to hit the ground, practicing their patience taking bull photos, participating in Theodore’s 100 years celebrations and Street Parade as well as attending several industry events including Brisbane’s Ekka, Callide Dawson and RNA Paddock to Palate Carcase Competitions.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK …… and it’s a big part of why we do what we do.
~ 2023 ~
Unlocking Value in Biodiversity, Carbon and how Cattle Contribute
Landholders hold many of the trump cards in the unfolding game of reducing carbon emissions and rewarding ecological performance, but external pressures are likely to increase, and all parts of the agricultural supply chain have a critical role to play in setting the social and scientific rules for how that game is played.
This was the central message from the Gyranda Open Day at Theodore on Thursday, September 17. In what was something of a deviation on the usual themes of beef production and the technology employed to do it, this year’s speakers – siblings Peter, Claire and Tom Mahony – discussed all things carbon and natural capital with ABC Capricornia’s Megan Hughes.
“Landholders have plenty of opportunities in a world going headfirst towards trying to reduce the carbon footprint,” says Gyranda’s principal Peter Mahony. As chair of AgForce’s Natural Resource Committee until earlier this year, Peter has been heavily involved in the carbon discussion and developing the AgCarE program.
“However, there are also plenty of threats, and chief amongst those is not having access to reliable, independent information on just what ecological assets I have on my farm, and what the true market value of that is.”
Claire Mahony is Head of New Ventures and Innovation at one of Australia’s largest, vertically integrated beef businesses. From her observations, there are limited market signals to adequately reward ‘carbon neutral’ beef across global markets and the cost of directly reducing methane through feed additives remains unviable for widespread adoption.
“So, for producers, any talk of carbon and natural capital has to align with normal production drivers.”
“Producers can generate carbon credits, for example, though the Beef Herd Methodology. In many respects it is a win-win because the basic premiss behind that methodology is the same premiss that drives profitability in most beef businesses: turn cattle off sooner and heavier.”
Stakeholder expectations also have a role to play. Something that Tom Mahony – Senior Director – Supply Chain for McDonald’s Australia knows only too well.
“At McDonald’s, where our food comes from and how it is produced matters to our customers, communities and the environment”, says Tom. “As one of the biggest buyers of Australian beef, we know we have an important role to play in working with the industry to achieve emissions reductions”
“Our observation is that customers will always want great quality and great value. At McDonald’s we have already, and will continue, to work with our supplier partners and invest in the supply chain to accelerate innovations in this space.”
The ACCC have recently become quite vocal in calling out those companies that are “greenwashing” their environmental credentials, so the reality is that claims will have to be backed up by data.
The panel suggested that it will likely become an expectation from customers alongside food safety and affordability, rather than an opportunity to earn a premium price.
“Although price premiums may be challenging to achieve, creating value to incentivise decarbonisation activities will be critical for uptake”, says Claire.
“Insetting and collaboration between actors in the value chain may be part of the puzzle to incentivise producers for those on-ground decarbonisation activities that only producers can undertake.”
“Pressure is mounting on the large food and fibre companies to account for their emissions and their ecological footprint, so supply chains are increasingly looking for both information and solutions from their suppliers. Importantly, I think most companies recognise the value in this and I think we will see more rewards from initiatives, such as insetting of carbon, flowing back to those who produce the food we eat,” suggests Tom Mahony.
What the group did agree on was that government policy towards decarbonisation in agriculture and evolving markets for biodiversity and natural capital was far from set in stone, and that every sector of agriculture has an important role to play in driving that narrative.
“My experience is that government is genuinely looking to work with agriculture, especially our R&D sectors, to help us devise solutions. Corporates have an important role to play in articulating our needs to government with data to back up the narrative,” says Claire.
Peter sees a small, but growing number of farmers taking advantage of the opportunity to run their farms for both production, and ecological improvement, and being well rewarded for it. “Carbon, biodiversity and the emerging natural capital market is not for everyone, and many of us just don’t have the headspace to take it all in right now. Over time, however, I think the market signals will be clearer and the true “champions” of industry better defined so that the pathway to success is much clearer.”
~ 2022 ~
Exploring the Functional Female
Over 130 people joined Peter and Nikki Mahony of Gyranda and Shaun McGuigan of Cree Santa Gertrudis studs at the Gyranda Open Day to discuss both identifying high performance cows and selecting replacement heifers.
Grame Hopf led discussions on the day examining the structure required for easy calving and to support a lifetime of milk production . He emphasised the desirability of some slope to the rump, the danger of fat being laid down in the udder and the sheer volume of blood required to produce milk. It is always special when Grame is able to get back to Gyranda and share his knowledge with us so generously.
Attendees from Baralaba, Mundubbera, Gympie, Gayndah and Theodore, as well as students from St. Ursula’s College, Yeppoon and Marist College Ashgrove (MCA), Brisbane joined in what became a lively discussion at times. A big thank you to the lads from MCA for serving up delicious coffees all day; to Meryl, our renowned Gyranda cook for huge range of cakes, slices and biscuits and to Vicki Meischke from AGnVET Theodore for manning the BBQ and rolling our 140 steaks and sausages to feed the crowd.
~ 2020 ~
BATTLE OF THE BREEDS!
The 2020 Open Day held on Thursday AUGUST 13 was hailed as “hands down, the best one yet”. A small triumph in COVID times!
Set as public forum involving Dr. David Johnston and stud breeders – Steve Farmer (Droughtmaster) , Ashley Kirk (Brahman), Sam Becker (Herefords), Alan Goodland (Charolais) to examine how different breeds are utilising the research and data to target traits and lift the productivity of the beef industry. The full Gyranda sale team, as well as a selection of bulls from the other studs were on display.
So…… What was revealed at the ‘Battle of the Breeds’?
We learnt that the different breeds are evolving to be much more universal animals – and as such we share many common challenges. Charolais have more fat, Brahmans have really pushed fertility and Sam Becker’s Herefords are better adapted to the heat and parasites of northern Australia. All of this achieved without sacrificing the traditional strengths of those breeds.
Dr. David Johnston led a lively discussion amongst commercial cattlemen and a long list of stud producers that tackled some of the tough questions – relevant to all breeds in northern Australia. How do we manage the nutritional requirements of maiden heifers? How do we select bulls to minimise calving problems as we (all breeds) continue to chase growth? How do we increase the volume and quality of carcase data going into EBVs to make it a more reliable tool? If we really push fertility can we have our cake and eat it too. That is, can we achieve increasing fertility alongside better growth and carcase characteristics?
It was refreshing to have an open discussion whereby all participants were happy to open up their businesses to scrutiny and commercial cattlemen, and those with technical knowledge combined to deliver some really interesting outcomes.
LINK to Queensland Country Life coverage
~ 2017 ~
A world of opportunity!
Dr. David Swain of CQUniversity Australia and with our own Jodie Chevelier from Purpan University, France – on cutting edge research making a difference locally and around the world.
Paul Williams and Tim Emery will be helping you select the right bull. As well as conversations about Solar irrigation.
~ 2016 ~
What makes the perfect cow?
Thursday August 11th was a day of recipes for honing fertility and a bag of bones at Gyranda last Thursday as the nation’s leading Beef Geneticist Dr. David Johnston and arguably our most entertaining cow judge Grame Hopf swapped ideas for what makes the perfect cow.
A crowd of over 70 descended on the picturesque sales complex near Theodore from as far away as Bundaberg, Brisbane, Blackall and Goondiwindi. They came to learn why structure is so important in breeding females. Why udder development, hip slope and not getting too fat is critical to ensuring your cows can calve out easily and raise a healthy calf…every year.
