Our Craft

01/04

Our Craft

Our Nature-Led approach produces Wagyu with a signature flavour that could only come from this corner of northern Australia. It is the combined output of our people, our approach, and our land.

It is the work of many people working across many millions of acres to look after cattle for four to five years as they forage freely on our rangelands and finish at our spacious feedlots.

From geneticists to nature managers to jackaroos and jillaroos on the muster, together we work to create a product that delights diners around the world and puts the terroir of northern Australia on the table.

AUS°20S °141E

01 Wagyu

Historically working animals, Wagyu cattle are prized for their high intramuscular fat content, or marbling. Marbling refers to the rivers of fat running through the muscle which gives Wagyu beef its signature tenderness and dissolving mouthfeel—a property derived from the fat itself, which has a relatively low melting point.

The Westholme Wagyu herd genetics have been refined and cultivated over the past three decades to produce the finest Wagyu possible that is best suited to our environment and lifestyle.

02 Mitchell

Mitchell Grass—found only in Australia—is the namesake of our signature cow, The Mitchell. Our Mitchell mothers are special to Westholme, combining genetics from a handful of breeds to make them uniquely suited to our operation.

When bred with Wagyu sires, Mitchell cows produce our Cross program—a terroir driven fusion of fat and lean. These cows are bred for Australia combining strong maternal instincts with a sturdy frame and the adaptability needed for a life on the hoof in the north.

02/04

Forage

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While we pride ourselves on creating a life for our animals that lets them live freely for the first three years of their life, roaming and grazing together in family units, none of it would be possible without our grass. Mitchell Grass of the genus Astrebla is found only in Australia and grows on what is known as the Mitchell Grass Downs, an awe-inspiring natural grassland plain growing on an alluvial landform that was once an ancient inland sea. This naturally fertile plain nurtures a variety of Mitchell species—hoop Mitchell, curly Mitchell, barley Mitchell, bull Mitchell—along with roughly 11 species of Flinders grass, another prominent grass on the Barkly Tablelands. We look after these natural grasses to ensure they are as healthy as possible, monitoring their health by foot, helicopter, and satellite because more grass means fatter, more flavourful

Queensland Bluegrass

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

Cattle forage in the grasses at Canobie

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

Grasses bow in the wind at sunset at Canobie

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

Taking a closer look at the forage

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

Flinders Grass

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

Curly Mitchell Grass

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

Queensland Bluegrass

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

Bull Mitchell Grass

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

Curly Bluegrass

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

A Wagyu enjoying some lunch at Wylarah

Wylarah Station, QLD - AUS

27° S, 149° E

Taking a closer look at our grasses

Canobie Station, QLD - AUS

20° S, 140° E

03/04

Feed

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While our herd spends most of their lives roaming across our rangelands, the animals in our Pure and Cross programs spend a minimum of 330 days at one of our feedlots.

Here, our grain-finished cattle are fed a unique grain mix made of grains prepared on station and either grown ourselves or sourced locally whenever possible. Feeding the herd from local sources, including our own farms, reduces our impact and ensures a strong connection between Westholme and the surrounding communities. Our relationships with these local farmers also keep us connected to the feed so we can maintain quality and the flexibility to try new things.

Measuring rations at Goonoo

Goonoo Station, QLD - AUS

23° S, 148° E

Cotton seed ready for feeding

Goonoo Station, QLD - AUS

23° S, 148° E

Examining flaked sorghum at Goonoo

Goonoo Station, QLD - AUS

23° S, 148° E

Oats

Goonoo Station, QLD - AUS

23° S, 148° E

The years Flanka Wheat crop

Goonoo Station, QLD - AUS

23° S, 148° E

Farmer Peter Winston holding Mustang Wheat

Goonoo Station, QLD - AUS

23° S, 148° E

Healthy, happy and well cared for cattle are integral to our nature-led approach. Providing care to our animals is part of who we are and our expertise in animal handling is something our people are immensely proud of.

Today, we employ the Five Domains approach, which moves beyond preventing bad animal welfare to actively promoting positive animal welfare and ultimately a positive mental state underpinned by proactive care.

01 Good Nutrition

Access to ample food, a varied diet, and drinking water.

02 Physical Health

Minimizing injury, disease, and functional impairment while promoting vitality and fitness.

03 Healthy environment

Creating an environment with room to roam, fresh air, conditions for rest, and a host of other factors that create forms of comfort.

04 Positive Behaviour

Interacting with the environment, i.e. foraging and exploration, positive interactions with humans, and promoting sociability amongst other animals all contribute towards positive behaviour.

05 Positive Mental State

Healthy mental wellbeing in our animals is our ultimate goal and is the product of good nutrition, a healthy environment, good physical health, and positive interactions with the land, humans, and other animals.

01/04

Our Craft

Breeds

Forage

Feed

Animal Welfare

01/04

Our Craft

Breeds

Forage

Feed

Animal Welfare

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