Square Meaters Myths and Facts:

Myth: Square Meaters are miniature cattle:
Fact: Square Meaters are deliberately compact in size to optimize the production of quality beef at a young age off grass or with grain assistance. While short in stature bulls have the length, thickness and muscling to weigh in excess of 800 kilograms at maturity.

Myth: Square Meaters will eventually become too small:
Fact: The Square Meaters Cattle Association has height measurements in place – bulls from 103 to 113 cm at 12 months of age, and females to 100 - 110 cm at 12 months of age, to provide the genetic diversity to ensure animals do not revert to either a dumpy miniature phenotype or to become larger, slab sided and later maturing.

Myth: Square Meaters are a boutique breed:
Fact: Square Meaters are earning increasing acceptance in the wider industry because of their ability to pass on the most valued traits to breeders such as low birth weights (20 to 30kg), polledness, excellent feed efficiency and early maturity. Square Meaters calves produce a finished carcass, ready for market, with optimal fat cover as yearlings whilst mainstream calves may take 18 months to 2 years to produce a similar product. The result of course is that you can stock more animals per hectare and turn them off in a much shorter period – more profit whether you are on a small or large property.

Myth: Square Meaters are not commercially viable:
Fact: With grain being increasingly diverted to biofuel production, and the growing trend towards more ‘natural’ foods, the ability of Square Meaters to finish to market specifications off grass makes them a very attractive commercial option. Their inherent docile nature and even fat cover also contributes to them consistently producing more tender beef. The breeds naturally polled genetics means they will eliminate the horns from other breeds, and in so doing, address a major animal welfare issue.

Myth: Square Meaters are not suitable for crossbreeding because bulls cannot serve larger frame females:
Fact: Square Meaters bulls are producing exceptional calves from cows of all breeds, from brahmans to santas and euro crosses to friesians. Square Meaters bulls are relatively long for their height and have no trouble getting bigger cows in calf. As well because Square Meaters are a pure breed they provide maximum heterosis when joined to females of all descriptions.

Myth: Square Meaters have a limited gene pool:
Fact: Square Meaters were recognized as a separate breed in 1995. Independent genetic studies have shown the Square Meaters gene pool is robust, diverse and self sustaining well into the future.

Myth: The heavy muscling of Square Meaters has an impact on fertility:
Fact: To the contrary, tests in Australia and overseas have shown that there is no negative relationship between increased muscling and fertility. In fact heavy muscling in females is now seen as a key to increased productivity. Where Square Meaters out-perform other breeds is that they are early maturng and females in particular carry an even fat cover and superior fleshing. This is why they exhibit a wonderful capacity to maintain good condition in even poor seasons, and go back in calf quickly year after year.

Myth: Square Meaters are little more than little Murray Greys:
Fact: While it is true that the Square Meaters breed was developed in the 1990’s from specially selected grey cattle, the breed is now recognized as a separate entity. They are not as tall as modern greys, but for their height are relatively thicker, better muscled and earlier maturing. Like the original greys Square Meaters are an easy calving breed with great temperaments and superior meat qualities
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Square Meaters were developed in Australia for the premium Australian domestic market.

On any measure you would have to say the Square Meaters have enjoyed great success in their short history. Square Meaters have had consistent success in major show interbreed competitions, carcass competitions and in saleyards.

Square Meaters have passed the acid test with butchers reacting very favourably and seeking out our carcasses. They particularly like the optimum, even fat cover on our weaners and yearlings which produces tender, juicer, tastier portions with high conversion ratios. Butchers and restaurateurs have been so impressed with the breed qualities that they have become breeders.

As a young breed we are continually working to increase numbers so that a consistent supply of product can be delivered to meet demand.