Rocking Chair Ranch Cow Herd

Transparency matters to us, which is why we provide an up-front quote for all beef industry consulting services. Since no two cattle enterprises are the same, our quotes reflect the scale, size, project scope and length of engagement. Following our Initial Call, we'll send you a quote that fits your goals. For long term consulting, our minimum prices start at 10K a quarter, but a comprehensive quote will give you the clarity you need. For short term projects, we could be comparing apples and oranges. Please enquire for a quote.

For short term projects, payment is required up front after receiving your quote. For long term projects, we quote for a 12-month period (most consulting goes for 12-24 months). You will be invoiced quarterly, up front.

The first thing we want you to know is that everything from enquiry to completion is confidential within our team. You can see our enquiry questions here, but from the initial call onwards, the questions will vary. Basically, we need to know your operation and what you want us to get out of it.

Andrew will be your main point of contact, for calls and travel. However, the Rocking Chair Ranch team will work collaboratively to map out your project. This arrangement gives you one main point of contact with the brains trust of our team backing you.

Andrew was born into a cattle enterprise but saw the value in education, to discover new and improved approaches to the industry. Both Sarina and Andrew completed Diplomas Beef Cattle Production in 2004, and Sarina continued onto a Bachelor of Applied Production Animal Science. As part of our ongoing education, we undertook 2 years of intensive farm management training through RCS. Throughout this time, we worked in breeding, stud, and feed lot operations. In 2011, we started a succession plan to take over Andrew’s parents’ Angus cattle operations which we've been independently running since 2016. Between our comprehensive firsthand industry experience and applying our extensive education in the context of a cattle enterprise, we’ve created our own approach that we’ve proven time and time again with the quality of our animals and overall business growth. We’ve been offering cattle consulting since 2022, and it brings us great joy to help make our industry stronger and more successful by sharing our knowledge and skills.

Our goal posts are high: Our cows wean a calf every year - no excuses. Calves wean at 9-10 months of age. At this time, their weight must be at least 50% of their mother’s mature cow weight - although we are constantly striving to reach 65%.

Our cows are held to high standards to ensure they: Are suitably fertile, calve easily and milk well, and Have desirable feminine physical characteristics.

We consistently select moderate-frame cows, because an economical mature unit produces the best results for your business. Our maternal performance pressure ensures you are purchasing a commercially viable asset.

Our cows must have doing-ability & maintain their fat cover whilst lactating under pasture-only practices. They need to hold body condition and rejoin effortlessly to a variety of conception techniques, whilst under a tight breeding window restriction. These standards are non-negotiable.

Temperament factors are a non-negotiable across our herd: Easy-handling, docile cows lead by example and raise calmer calves. Our cows must demonstrate appropriate maternal instincts – striking the right balance between protective yet responsive behaviours.

We breed for structurally sound animals that thrive in all conditions. Cows are assessed for their genetic expression, performance, body condition, and economy. We are focused on longevity and like to challenge the ‘industry standard’ cull for age number. We strive for a profitable ‘one more’ calf from that cow, because we understand the heifer’s cost of production. Our cows are raised with the respect and consideration they deserve, and are treated like our most valuable asset - because they are.

Our fertility standards are non-negotiables come rain, hail or shine: All our females are expected to calve unassisted - no exceptions. Because like you, we are busy! Our calves wean at 50-65% of their mature cow weight, at 9-10 months old. Our heifers are yearling mated and have one window of opportunity to join the herd team. Our cows need to hold body condition, rejoin effortlessly within a tight breeding window, and wean a calf annually.

We're a pasture-focused operation, so the condition of our female herd is paramount. Our cows must have doing-ability and maintain their fat cover whilst lactating. This standard applies whether the pasture is green or sparse. We assess each cow for optimal condition, because a moderate frame cow produces an economical mature unit. The result is fit and sound calves that go on to become resilient cattle that perform on grass or grain. The attributes of our herd are monitored genetically, physically and via their progeny.