Chris and David Benn at Mt Kingsley
Mt Kingsley has come a long way under the almost 60 years of stewardship by the Benn family, and current custodians David and Chris have played a key role in its development.
When David's parents, Owen and Mary Benn, took on part of a bush run where cattle were only mustered once a year and fences were unknown, they had plenty of work to do. They laid the groundwork for the establishment of a beef breeding enterprise, and David and Chris have fine-tuned this using genetics to maximise returns from the introduction of improved pastures. 'There still isn't a back fence on Mt Kingsley as the cliffs on the ranges form a natural barrier,' David says. Yet the family worked hard and the couple has taken the operation to the next stage by not doing what everyone else does.
While Angus cattle are now more common in the region, Owen and then David and Chris have seen the potential of the breed on Mt Kingsley, albeit they were 'a bit soft' for the climate, which borders on tropical. They have now included Ultra Blacks, which are essentially Angus but with a small percentage of Bos Indicus in the mix to improve their performance. 'They have smoother coats and better constitution for our area,' David says. The move to organic was a natural progression for the herd, taking advantage of the pristine growing conditions to produce and be rewarded financially for their efforts.
Yet that herd is truly commercial, with tight joining periods, clear weight gain goals and an infusion of genetics with the goal of turning off steers at about 340kg dressed weight at 32 months. Beef is one passion for David but so is the environment he grew up in and now runs. After a major erosion event that created enormous damage on Mt Kingsley, David and Chris see more and more how nature has shaped and continues to shape the family's country.
And while David and Chris may be the second generation, their daughter Claudia and her partner Miles Burow have just moved back as the next Benns to call Mt Kingsley home.
