Driving profitability through feed efficiency at Medway Droughtmasters and Donaldson Beefmasters
4 Mar 2025Based in the heart of Central Queensland, Australia, the Donaldson family, now in its third generation of cattle operations led by Hamilton and Hannah, alongside Brenten and Alexandra, has long been a recognised name in the beef industry. With a legacy of over fifty years in breeding Droughtmasters and a newer foray in the USA breed of Beefmasters, the Donaldson family has committed to producing resilient and efficient cattle, focusing not only on traditional traits such as fertility and tick resistance but also on feed efficiency—a key driver of profitability in modern beef production.
A MULTI-GENERATIONAL LEGACY
The Medway Droughtmasters story began in the late 1970s when Rob Donaldson, Brentens and Hamilton’s grandfather, first introduced Droughtmaster bulls to Medway Station in Bogantungan, a tiny outback locality in Queensland. This decision was driven by the need to improve the temperament, fertility, and marketability of the existing herd. The success of these early efforts led to the formation of Medway Droughtmasters in 1991, when Rob and his son Hastings had the vision to breed commercially focused bulls for the family’s properties in the Central Highlands. Over the decades, the herd has grown significantly, now incorporating properties in the Bogantungan, Peak Downs, and Glen Echo districts.
“Our family has been benefiting from Droughtmaster genetics for over 40 years,” says Hamilton. “We’ve always aimed to breed cattle that are not just hardy and adaptable but also efficient in terms of feed conversion.”
This multi-generational approach to breeding has seen Medway Droughtmasters grow from its humble beginnings into a well-established name in the industry, selling genetics throughout Australia. Today, their focus on feed efficiency marks the next step in their journey toward sustainable and profitable beef production.
The Droughtmaster breed, known for its clean coat, tick resistance, heat and drought tolerance, has been a key part of Medway’s success. Adding a focus on feed efficiency complements these traits, further minimising maintenance costs. As Brenten points out, this approach is about building a more sustainable and cost-effective herd.
“By incorporating feed efficiency into our breeding decisions, we ensure that we’re not just growing fast but doing so in a way that’s economically viable over the long term,” Brenten said.
THE BEGINNINGS WITH BEEFMASTER
After a visit to Texas, USA, the next generation of Donaldsons recognised the benefits and new dimensions Beefmaster cattle could bring to the business. They began to artificially inseminate with USA Beefmaster semen within their herd and the first calf crop arrived at the start of 2020.
“Those first calves validated our decision. The consistency, bone, temperament, and correctness of the calves was a standout,” Brenten explained.
The next year, the ‘Beefmaster Breeders Australia’ was born at iconic cattle industry event Beef2021 in Rockhampton. It was the official public launch of Donaldson Beefmasters.
“It’s early days for Beefmasters in Australia, but after seeing the progeny delivering solid benefits already, we are excited for what the future has in store.”
FEED CONVERSION: A MAJOR FOCUS
Feed efficiency is more than just a buzzword at Medway. It’s a cornerstone of their breeding strategy.
“Feed efficiencies are a primary profit driver in any beef business. The only other factor as impactful as feed conversion efficiency is fertility-driven weaning rates. By identifying efficient seed stock bulls, we can have a major effect on our herd’s bottom line, especially over an extended period,” Brenten explains.
To optimise feed efficiency within their herd, Medway has adopted Vytelle SENSE technology to capture individual animal feed intake and weight data, and to identify elite feed efficient genetics via Vytelle’s end of trial reporting including phenotypes and a breeding evaluation. This technology enables them to capture precise data on feed intake and weight gain over a 49-day period, using RFID-ear tags to track each animal’s consumption and correlate it with daily weight measurements. The result is a Residual Feed Intake (RFI) trait, which helps distinguish the bulls that convert feed into weight more efficiently.
“Feed costs account for approximately 70% of input costs. RFI is an independent and moderately heritable trait that can be selected for along with other important traits. A feed efficient herd produces more beef from the same or less land, is an efficient use of resources and produces less GHG,” Vytelle’s Regional Director Australia / New Zealand Andrew Donoghue explains.
The data gathered from their recent trials have been telling. In the first trial featuring Beefmasters, the standout performer was Lot 71, with an RFI of -0.55. This bull started at a weight of 619.38 kg and ended the trial at 696.78 kg, achieving an average daily gain (ADG) of 1.29 kg. What made this bull exceptional was not just its growth but how efficiently it converted feed into weight. Its adjusted feed-to-gain (F:G) ratio was an impressive 9.45, indicating that it required less feed to achieve its growth compared to others in the group.
Similarly, the Droughtmaster trial yielded noteworthy results. Lot 16 emerged as one of the top performers, with an RFI of -1.31. This bull began the trial at 593.67 kg and finished at 671.61 kg, with an ADG of 1.50 kg. Its adjusted F:G ratio was 7.38, reinforcing that efficient feed conversion is possible without compromising on growth rates. These trials are more than just numbers; they represent a shift in breeding strategy. By selecting bulls with favourable RFI and adjusted F:G ratios, Medway aims to breed progeny that inherit these traits. Over time, this means a herd that grows efficiently, reducing overall production costs. Brenten is quick to emphasise that focusing solely on growth is not enough.
Similarly, the Droughtmaster trial yielded noteworthy results. Lot 16 emerged as one of the top performers, with an RFI of -1.31. This bull began the trial at 593.67 kg and finished at 674.61 kg, with an ADG of 1.52 kg. Its adjusted F ratio was 9.22, reinforcing that efficient feed conversion is possible without compromising on growth rates. Over time, this means a herd that grows efficiently, reducing overall production costs. Brenten is quick to emphasise that focusing solely on growth is not enough.
“It’s essential to look beyond just growth rates. You need to know how much feed is required to achieve those gains,” he explains. “Improving feed conversion efficiency can substantially impact profitability.”
THE FUTURE FOR THE DONALDSONS
“A balance of all traits is our ultimate goal. We are firm believers in Tom Lasater’s six essentials of beef production: fertility, weight, confirmation, milk production, hardiness and temperament, and that guides our decision making.”
The legacy of the Medway Droughtmasters and Donaldson Beefmaster is one of continuous improvement and adaptation. From its inception, when Rob Donaldson first introduced Droughtmasters to the herd, to the expansion across multiple properties by his son Hastings, and now to the modern-day focus on feed efficiency, the family has always been at the forefront of cattle breeding innovation. Today, they offer their genetics through the Donaldson Family Sale at “Medway” Bogantungan, embodying a tradition of excellence that spans over four decades.
The Donaldson family’s results offer a compelling case for the beef industry. They show that with precise data and strategic selection, it’s possible to optimise feed efficiency, leading to higher profitability. For other breeders considering similar trials, Brenten’s advice is straightforward: measure and understand your data. Feed represents one of the most significant costs in beef production, so improving feed conversion efficiency can make a substantial difference to the bottom line.
In an industry where margins can be thin, the focus by Medway Droughtmasters and Donaldson Beefmaster on feed efficiency sets a standard for what can be achieved. By harnessing technology and utilising data to drive decisions, they are not just improving their own operation but also offering a blueprint for others in the industry. As the beef industry continues to evolve, feed efficiency will remain a key area of focus, driving profitability and sustainability in cattle production.
Medway Droughtmasters, proudly part of the Donaldson family’s multi-generational history in the beef industry, continue to lead the way in this endeavour, ensuring that their legacy is one of not just resilience, but also efficiency and innovation.
