According to owners Ben and Wendy Mayne, the 22 heifers that started the Texas Angus line in 1936 were special. So special that not a single new maternal line has been introduced for over 87 years.

And buyers seem to agree, paying an Australian record of $225,000 for a single bull in 2021 and averaging over $28,000 for 209 bulls at their 2022 sale.

“We try to breed bulls to what the buyer needs, but we also breed to a type,” Ben explains. “It’s about having cattle that perform.”

By concentrating on genetics, Ben adds, once Texas Angus cattle go to the backgrounding stage or the feedlot, they continue to grow and yield very well.

But it’s not all about genetics. Breeding is combined with sustainable and holistic land management on their stud at Warialda, NSW.

Two decades ago, the Maynes eliminated the use of chemical fertilisers. To replace them, they planted multiple species of perennial grasses and applied natural fertilisers, cultivating the microbial environment of their soil.

“People used to look at us like we were witch doctors,” Wendy laughs.

But the resilience of their soil speaks for itself. The grasses and foraging crops return more quickly after drought, and the sub-surface ecosystem is thriving.

“We’re big believers that all your worms and grubs and bugs are the ones that fertilise your country,” Ben says, “and we’ve got plenty of them.”

The health of the Maynes’ soil translates into the health of the cattle – they can adapt more quickly into different environments with faster weight gains, adding to the profitability of clients’ herds.

“A lot of Texas Angus thrive in areas where Angus cattle generally don’t even survive,” Wendy explains. “Our bulls are known for their longevity and ability to adapt. We’re trying to interlink the whole sustainability process. It’s not only the soils – it’s the grasses, the crops and the genetics together.”

Ben agrees: “You’re only as good as your weakest link – the closer we can get to nature, the more efficient we can be.”

In placing sustainability at the centre of everything they do, the right banking support has been vital.

“Our NAB Agribusiness Banker Emma Grigg has been instrumental in helping our business grow sustainably,” Wendy says. “We can ring her anytime and she’ll always get back to us.”

“Wendy and Ben have put a lot of work into getting the business right,” Emma says. “If they’re looking at properties to buy or big financial decisions, I’ll chat with them about it.”

It’s a close working relationship that has even extended to a hands-on role. “Last year, Emma came and stayed with us,” Wendy says. “We had a two-day sale and she worked at it!”