Unleashing Hybrid Vigor: Russell Pastoral Co. Dominates RNA Paddock-to-Palate Competition

Russell Pastoral Co’s Adam Armstrong, left, explains the production history behind this year’s RNA paddock-to-palate weight gain winners during the JBS dinner at Brisbane’s Storey Bridge Hotel on Tuesday night. Click on the image for a larger view.

The 2025 RNA 100-day grainfed carcase competition has highlighted that heterosis, or hybrid vigor, remains an under-utilized resource in the Australian beef industry.

As part of the lead-up to this week’s Brisbane Royal Show, JBS Australia hosted a dinner on Tuesday at the popular Story Bridge hotel, showcasing products from this year’s weight gain division winners in the 100-day Paddock-to-Palate performance classes.

Russell Pastoral Co has consistently excelled in this competition, leading this year with teams demonstrating average daily gains (ADGs) of 2.797 kg, as well as the highest individual weight gain of 2.87 kg. Remarkably, their success is not a one-off; last year’s average was similarly impressive, with entries at 2.75 kg and 2.71 kg/day.

JBS Australia managed and processed both 100-day RNA classes (open and HGP-free) at their Beef City feedlot and processing plant near Toowoomba. While the feedlot weight gain results were earlier announced, the overall results will be revealed at the annual carcase competition dinner at the showgrounds tomorrow night.

Adam Armstrong, managing director of Russell Pastoral Co, shared insights into the origins of the award-winning beef during the Tuesday event. His entries this year were once again true crossbreds, a mix of Angus, Charolais, and composite genetics bred from a Braford and Shorthorn heritage on Mitchell/Flinders grass country at the company’s expansive Champion Station near Blackall, Central Western Queensland.

Spanning approximately 55,000 hectares, Champion Station houses around 5,000 breeding cows and produces roughly 2,000 conventional feeder steers annually, predominantly routed through JBS programs like Yardstick at Beef City or Mungindi feedlots.

The Power of Hybrid Vigor

“Our success, in my belief, stems from hybrid vigor,” Armstrong conveyed to the dinner audience. “Although our herd is Angus-based today, the genetics are quite diverse.” This diverse genetic makeup is continually being refined as they strive for optimal results.

Adam’s late father, John Armstrong, significantly impacted the northern beef industry as a cattle vet for Stanbroke Pastoral Co, where he played a key role in the development of composite genetics.

John’s legacy significantly influenced Adam, who remarked, “It is essential to balance genetics for adaptability, meat quality, and feedlot performance.”

Discussing the industry’s focus on heterosis, Mr. Armstrong asserted, “There’s a lot of weight gain advantage which is being overlooked—100 percent.” To maintain this advantage, Russell Pastoral is procuring Charolais bulls this year for genetic diversity, even amidst the premiums for Angus-program eligible feeder cattle.

Strategic Focus Across the Supply Chain

“Our aim is to develop cattle that perform consistently across all stages, including fertility on the station and profitability in the feedlot and chillers,” Armstrong explained.

“We remain concentrated on the end market—not the retailer or restaurant, but JBS, a valued customer for us. We want them to maximize earnings from our cattle at the meatworks and feedlot.”

To ensure high-quality eating experiences, Russell Pastoral emphasizes intra-muscular fat (marbling) in their genetic selection.

Benchmarking and Measurement Advances

“The RNA paddock to palate competition serves as a valuable benchmark for our cattle within the industry,” Armstrong stated, emphasizing the caliber of competitors involved.

“High-performing cattle studs participate in this event, aiming for victories that enhance their bull breeding credentials.”

In addressing the ingredients for success, Mr. Armstrong specified a combination of scientific decisions and market signals, noting the need to anticipate future market demands.

Champion Station now employs precise paddock performance measurements, recently partnering with MLA for an innovative project utilizing Vence (Merck) virtual fencing technology, involving around 1,150 cows.

Environmental Sustainability Initiatives

Soil carbon assessment is also becoming a focal point of Russell Pastoral’s operations.

“We are aligning with global trends advocating for lower emissions cattle and environmental stewardship in our practices,” Armstrong detailed. The company collaborates with JBS to gauge emissions metrics and enhance feed conversion efficiency, significantly tied to methane output.

Current initiatives aim to form a comprehensive natural capital map, integrating carbon sequestration potential into operations, allowing for emissions benchmarking against cattle production.

“At Champion Station, we possess substantial timbered lands that sequester more carbon than our overall emissions output,” he added. “This is a brave new world for the grazing industry, where we stand on the brink of significant innovations.”

Mr. Armstrong concluded by emphasizing that proactive measures, including inviting cattle buyers to review emissions and sequestration metrics, can transform perceptions of the beef industry’s role in environmental sustainability.

“If you want to save the planet, eat a steak,” he declared, highlighting the potential for cattle grazing to enhance carbon sequestration more effectively than alternative measures.