At Mawarra Genetics, Peter and Deanne Sykes are focused on stepping back from short-term noise and focusing on what actually drives long-term, commercial profitability.
It was a sentiment echoed at the Red Meat Roadmap recently, when producers, processors and industry leaders came together at Longford, Victoria to share knowledge.
Hosted by Mawarra Genetics in partnership with Gippsland Ag Group, the message was loud and clear: the most resilient and profitable cattle businesses aren’t chasing extremes, they’re building balanced, consistent herds that perform year after year.
That breeding decisions, market positioning and enterprise structure today will shape resilience and returns into the future.
"For us at Mawarra, this strongly reinforces the direction we’ve been committed to for some time," Mrs Sykes said.
"Our breeding philosophy continues to focus on functional, fertile cattle with sound structure, temperament and the ability to perform under commercial conditions. Cattle that are predictable, adaptable and easy to manage across a range of systems."
At the event genetics consultant PJ Budler challenged producers to rethink long-held assumptions around terminal genetics, emphasising the long-term commercial value of functional, fertile and well-adapted cow herds.
“Optimising is key, avoiding extremes is imperative,” Mr Budler said, reinforcing that a balanced cow herd provides flexibility to respond to market shifts simply through bull selection, without increasing production risk.
Angus Gidley-Baird, Senior Animal Proteins Analyst, Rabobank, connected global beef demand trends with on-farm profitability. Mr Gidley-Baird highlighted that while producers cannot control markets, they can control costs, productivity and business discipline.
“It’s knowing your numbers, knowing what your stocking rates are, knowing what your rainfall measurements are, knowing what age you can successfully turn off an animal for it to be profitable and consistent,” he said.
Meanwhile, Elders' Morgan Davies emphasised that repeat buyers are built on reliability, temperament and preparation, noting that producers who deliver consistent cattle are far more likely to sit at the top end of the market over time.
“If someone buys your stock and has a good experience, they’re going to be back to buy them again,” he said.
Processor insights were led by Steve Chapman, Southern Livestock Manager for JBS Australia, who emphasised that producers who understand processor requirements, particularly around nutrition, handling and consistency, are better positioned to access repeat demand and premiums.
This processor perspective was reinforced through a practical carcass demonstration by Aimee Bolton, who unpacked how MSA grading works and how producers can use feedback data to inform breeding and management decisions beyond the paddock.
Throughout the panel discussion, the value of informed, data-driven decision-making was repeatedly reinforced, from understanding MSA requirements and managing nutrition in the final 60–90 days, to weighing cattle, tracking growth rates and maintaining focus on clear market endpoints.
The day was facilitated by agricultural consultant and auctioneer, Lincoln McKinlay, from Linc'd.
After lunch producers moved into the paddock where the Mawarra Genetics team supported a hands-on workshop scenario, providing cattle for inspection and facilitating discussion around phenotype, structure, balance and functionality.
"We are incredibly grateful for everyone who attended the day and with special thanks to our speakers, who generously shared their insight, experience and perspectives to help ground industry thinking in practical, commercial outcomes," Mrs Sykes said.
Mawarra Genetics is now preparing for its autumn sales with Mawarra Ladies Day scheduled for Sunday, March 15 and The Mawarra Genetics 53rd sale, to be held on Monday, March 16. Both will be interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
There are 157 lots in the Monday sale with both Hereford and Angus bulls on offer, but it's the female sale that's really exciting Mrs Sykes this year.
Every few years Mawarra sells mature females from its herd to give clients the opportunity to access genetics they wouldn't normally have access to.
"We're offering our foundation Angus cows and a number we bred initially ourselves as well. There's also really exciting Herefords that were instrumental to where our herd is now. It's a brilliant opportunity to get to the heart of our program and genetics," she said.
The Mawarra Ladies Day will be held on Sunday, March 15.
The Mawarra Genetics 53rd sale will be held on Monday, March 16.