Square Meaters are a moderate-framed Australian cattle breed.
They are perfectly suited to the variable Australian temperate climate and have an ability to hold condition in hard times and flourish in normal conditions.
The highly efficient animals are gaining a reputation among butchers for their consistent quality and high yield of excellent cuts.
As such, Square Meaters breeders across the country are working in teams to help ensure the breed’s future success.
In south east Queensland, due to the high demand for Square Meaters beef, Lachlan Howland of Golden Pastoral Co. recently started a buy-in program with other breeders.
“Know your own market and aim to produce for that,” Lachlan says.
Golden Pastoral buys young cattle from the other breeders for a premium price, finishes them at Mount Cotton, then markets them to butchers.
“The Queensland team of breeders work together for an end-game and help each other out, that is why we have been so successful.
“In fact, we now need more commercial breeders to help us, as demand for our beef exceeds supply.“
It’s important to the group to supply reliable, consistent beef to ensure both breeders and butchers are profitable and achieve the goals they set.
“The feedback from butchers is great – they sell out in just a few days,“ Lachlan says. “There are regular customers who now pre-order from the butchers.”
Across the country, Square Meaters breeders choose to work with the breed due to its known characteristics of moderate size, excellent temperament, low inputs, natural polling, high fertility, faster maturing, superior muscling, high yield carcass with great commercial appeal.
As they reach maturity before other breeds they are perfectly suited for the domestic, restaurant and butcher trades with weights at 12 to 16 months, off grass.
For many breeders, the Square Meaters’ efficient feed conversion and moderate size enables higher stocking rates on-farm.
“As stud breeders, at the end of the day, we are seed stock producers for the beef industry,” Lachlan said.
“When others are still backgrounding, Square Meaters are finishing on grass and off to market, shortening the paddock to butcher time frame.“
Square Meaters cows have high maternal instincts and fertility rates suitable for a short joining period leading to calving maturity within 24 months.
They are excellent milk producers, which enables high weaning weights in their calves.
Square Meaters display an excellent temperament, which is optimal for low stress handling, giving ease of management throughout the chain of movement to produce the quality, tender meat expected from the breed.
Square Meaters Frame Score is directly linked to carcass maturity, with moderate-framed breeds having earlier carcass maturity in terms of degree of finish required for optimal carcass classification.
Testament to this is many years of Square Meaters’ success in carcass competitions throughout the country and, most recently, winning Ekka 2024 – Grand Champion Carcass.
“The many top achievements seen nationally in Royal Show steer competitions with carcass champions, high carcass scores, MSA eating quality awards and yearling sales results say it loud and clear for the Square Meaters breed – they well and truly meet the high industry standards of the domestic beef market and butcher trade,“ Lachlan said.
* For further information about the breed, chat to Lachlan Howland 0400 030 222, Square Meaters Cattle Association of Australia. www.squaremeaters.com.au
