The foundations of a data-driven business were forming as soon as Tom Bull left university. Taking a job with USA Lamb company, Superior Farms, Tom recognised the importance of analysing meat quality and yields to underpin farm profitability.
Since establishing LAMBPRO over two decades ago, Tom has positioned it as a leading genetics business that specialises in terminal and maternal genetics. Continually seeking to innovate to offer clients with animals and systems that reduce their costs of production.
Today data has never been more important, as it underpins the evolution of the business into providing meat into both the domestic and export markets. The flagship brand, Kinross Station Hampshire Downs is delivered weekly into some of the most exclusive butcher shops and retailers in Australia, and monthly into the export market.
On the farm, data is essential for the commercial flock as their characteristics are captured on-farm and throughout the supply chain to ensure carcase information is used to identify animals that are either outliers or poor performers. In 2022, they will be joining nearly 10,000 performance recorded ewes and that information is vital to fuelling the evolution of the business.
So where does he look to get inspiration?
That’s a question we asked Tom directly. “We see the use of hybrid animals in pork and poultry and to a degree beef, but more importantly the use of objective data not simply just visual as a key driver of the cost of production has driven these industries”
Identifying early that it was a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ for the lamb industry, and Tom is forward in sharing that he wants to be a leader in this space. Reflecting on when he started, Tom says that:
“Many people saw a young person in their 20’s breeding hybrid rams as a sure failure”
It’s no secret that great people are integral to any business that is looking to succeed, LAMBPRO is a far cry from the stereotypical image of a stud breeding business. With most of the team in their twenties, they are incredibly passionate and capable and eager to make their mark on the business and industry. Two of those leading within the business are Rozzie McKenna and Georgia Cluff.
2021 Zanda McDonald Award winner and operations manager, Rozzie brings a wealth of experience into the business with her backgropund in science and data.
“Rozzie is the go-to for hundreds of producers and while still in her twenties, she is going to have a profound impact on the industry” tom says.
Alongside Rozzie, is Georgia Cluff who works as the Breeding manager and is responsible for the reporting of 10,000+ lambs annually.
“She probably marks more lambs at birth than anyone else in the world! She’s another highly educated person who is practical.
Following a successful ram sale, where they sold 1369 rams including a whopping 1,045 rams on Day 2. Coming up on November 23rd, Lambpro will be hosting its annual Primeline Maternal Ewe Sale on the 23rd of November, with clients offering more than 20,000 ewes here on AuctionsPlus.
To view the sale, click HERE.