Breeding Program
Our breeding program is built on decades of discipline, clear objectives, and data-driven selection.
The breeding program began when Kate’s parents, Steve and Esmae Taylor, were building their cattle business from humble beginnings. Light breeder country with nutritional constraints and the need to keep cost of production down meant they looked to genetics to help them improve fertility and ultimately transition to yearling mating. Yearling joining has been one of the most profitable genetic gains in the herd.
The herd has evolved into a resilient, functional one that performs consistently in tough western Queensland conditions. We focus on moderate-framed Angus–Brahman composites, selected for fertility, adaptability, and efficiency. Every female must calve unassisted by two years of age and continue to rear a calf annually within a strict nine-week joining period. This uncompromising selection pressure ensures only the most resilient and productive animals remain in our herd.
Temperament and low stress stockhandling are non-negotiable. We have hosted and attended a number of low stress stockhandling schools, embedding these principles into every aspect of our herd management.
Joining Period
The joining period for the bulls to go in with cows is set on the 21st October for 6 weeks for heifers and 9 weeks for cows. These dates are set for calving and peak lactation to occur for our cows at the optimum time in our season. “Our frost date is more predictable than our green date” - Peter says. Weaning is therefore carried out in March to enable cows and weaners to go back onto fresh pastures before frosts arrive. This also allows the cow to gain body condition prior to calving in August. We cannot afford to have cows lactating in winter in our environment.
Paddock Bulls for Sale
At Three Range Pastoral, we offer paddock bulls for sale throughout the year. Each bull is grass-fed, polled, naturally adapted, and ready to perform in a natural environment. Approximately 5% of the male calf drop are kept as bulls. To stay in our system bulls are firstly appraised on temperament, structure, eyes, coat and sheath. They are scrotal measured and weighed at weaning and twelve months and vet and morphology tested at two years. They must have a 30cm scrotal by twelve months - displaying early puberty, at the same age our heifers are cycling.
Core Selection Principles
Fertility & Productivity
We track performance data including calf weaning weight in proportion to cow weight, body condition, and reproductive efficiency to guide future selections.
Moderate Frame & Efficiency
Moderately framed cows are nutritionally efficient and therefore able to consistently wean a calf of at least 50% of her bodyweight.
Bull Selection
Only the top 5% of male calves are selected as bulls. They are evaluated for temperament, structure, weight, scrotal size, polledness, fly resistance and sheath. They must reach puberty by 12 months, the same age as heifers cycling. Bulls are presented in paddock condition for buyers to see their natural muscling ability and raw data and therefore their ability to perform in a commercial environment.
Market Suitability
Selection traits are focused on fertility, growth patterns, and market compliance with Organic, EU, and MSA market specifications.
Profitability
Our yearling joining program is one of the most profitable genetic gains in our herd. Our preg-test rate is very consistent, regardless of the season. This results in the female portion of our turnoff making a considerable contribution to net profit.
Environment and Adaptation
Our herd is bred for adaptation to harsh, extensive environmental conditions. All cattle are grass-fed and free from artificial inputs - cattle are bred to be naturally resilient to internal and external parasites and adapted to their environment.
“When you buy a bull, you’re essentially buying a program, and we’ve found our clients really understand this – they want to come for a drive around our paddocks and see the cows, they value the legacy of function in these cows.”
— Kate & Peter Moloney
Certifications and Standards
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Certified Organic
Ensuring animals are raised entirely off grass with minimal supplements.
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GAP (Global Animal Partnership)
Internationally recognised standard for animal welfare.
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EU & MSA
Guaranteeing carcass quality for both domestic and export markets.
“I have been performing the routine veterinary work for Three Range Pastoral including pregnancy testing and bull testing for some years. In my experience the cattle are quiet and perform well year on year almost regardless of the season.
Each year the conception rate is consistently above 90%, including the heifers that are joined as yearlings. All heifers are joined for only 6 weeks. Empty females are culled which means that every bull produced, is from a cow that has produced a calf every year. This is extremely important as it sets them apart from many other bull breeding operations.
Fertility is a heritable trait. By keeping bulls only out of females that produce a calf every year means that the herd increases in fertility and these bulls will then pass this on to their progeny. Joining the cows for only 9 weeks (and the same nine weeks each year) also increases the selection pressure and means that only the most fertile cows become pregnant as their inter-calving interval has to be under 365 days.”
- Will Nason BVSc (Hons) (Roma Veterinary Clinic)
