For many Victorian beef producers, grass-fed systems are no longer a talking point — they are a production reality.
The challenge isn’t whether pasture-fed systems work, but how to finish cattle consistently, meet specifications, and protect margins when seasons, pasture quality, and market requirements do not always align.
In South Gippsland, Brock and Gavin Furness run a finishing operation turning over close to 1000 head a year, supplying cattle into certified grass-fed programs. While his system is pasture-first, it is firmly grounded in commercial reality.
“You still have to finish cattle,” Brock said.
“And you still have to finish them on time.”
The Furness family relies on rotational and strip grazing to maximise pasture use and maintain soil health. Supplementary feeding is used deliberately, not to replace pasture, but to support it when grass quality or availability drops. That careful balance is increasingly common among producers targeting premium grass-fed markets.
GRASS-FED IS THE SYSTEM.
FINISHING IS THE SKILL
Malcolm Green, who transitioned from dairy to beef nearly 20 years ago, says the discipline of dairy pasture management has stayed with him.
“I still manage pasture like a dairy
farmer,” he said.
“Feed efficiency, rotation, understanding what the pasture’s doing. That’s what makes the system work.”
Pure pasture finishing, he explains, proved too slow to be commercially viable. Introducing Barastoc Pasture Beef pellets allowed Malcolm to shorten days on feed while remaining compliant with grass-fed programs.
“First day they’ll have a lick, second day a bit more, third day they’re straight onto it,” he said.
“Within 45 days I can start drafting. By 60 days, most are gone.”
The benefits extend beyond speed. Malcolm points to calmer cattle, easier handling, and improved grading results.
“We’re in the top 100 MSA producers in Victoria, and that’s with females,” he said.
“The pellets give us another couple of points. That’s real money.”
Nearby, Tim Anderson faces a similar reality. Finishing cattle on 250 acres under Greenham’s grass-fed, antibiotic-free program, Tim found that pasture alone could not deliver the turnaround needed to maintain cash flow, particularly through winter.
“Pasture-only was taking too long,” he said.
“Hay and silage didn’t suit our conditions. Pellets let us supplement what’s missing while staying compliant.”
Around a third of the ration is pellet,
with the balance pasture — enough to finish cattle efficiently without compromising program integrity.
NUTRITION THAT FITS
THE RULES AND THE REALITY
Barastoc Pasture Beef 15 is formulated specifically for pasture-based systems and accredited grass-fed programs. It is GMO-free, grain-free, and eligible for use in schemes including Greenham Never Ever and JBS Farm Assurance.
Ridley regional sales manager Tristan Francis says the product exists because pasture systems are rarely predictable.
“Grass-fed demand is growing, but seasons don’t always cooperate,” he said.
“Producers need a supplement that works with pasture, not against their program.”
The pellet is designed to complement pasture by supplying balanced energy, minerals and vitamins when grass quality dips, particularly during finishing, winter, or dry periods.
“Consistency is everything,” Mr Francis said.
“If feed varies, performance varies. Serious producers cannot afford that.”
Ridley’s grain-free feeds are segregated
during manufacturing and subject to rigorous quality controls, ensuring compliance batch to batch — a critical consideration for premium market programs.
MORE THAN FEED
Across all three operations, the relationship with Ridley is practical rather than promotional.
“When I order feed, I ring Tristan,” Brock said.
“Within hours it’s organised. We know when the truck’s coming. That reliability is critical.”
Tim agrees.
“If there’s an issue, they’re on the phone or out here looking at it.”
This consistency of formulation, supply, and support makes Barastoc more than a feed brand — it becomes part of the production system.
“At the end of the day, we’re selling a premium article of beef,” Malcolm said.
“You need confidence in what’s going into the animal. The pellet costs what it costs, but the result stacks up.”
BUILT FOR THE LONG GAME
For these producers, grass-fed beef is not a trend — it is driven by processor requirements, export demand, animal welfare expectations, and the long-term sustainability of their systems.
“People want assurance around how their beef is produced,” Brock said.
“This system lets us stand behind that.”
For Ridley, Barastoc Pasture Beef 15 sits within a broader commitment to support beef producers with nutrition that fits real systems, real seasons, and real commercial pressure.
“Our role is to help producers finish cattle efficiently, profitably, and within the programs they rely on,” Tristan said.
“If that works, the whole industry is stronger.”
For Beef Week producers focused on
performance without compromise, that
partnership matters.
Producers interested in how Barastoc Pasture Beef 15 fits their system are encouraged to contact their local Ridley representative or
visit ridley.com.au.
