Mount Eugene is a 15,000-acre property in Central Queensland, proudly owned and operated by Geoff and Alison Maynard and their family. With a hands-on approach, they are dedicated to breeding high-quality Senepol cattle. Their focus on fertility and adaptability has led to the development of a generation of Senepol cattle that thrive in Central Queensland’s harsh environment, offering graziers a low-maintenance, heat-tolerant breed with strong maternal traits.

Mount Eugene received and trialled the first Belmont Red cattle released in Australia in 1972. After 8 years of trials and research, the Belmont Red cattle proved to be 15% more fertile than Indicus and Indicus derived breeds trialled at the property. These trials were done in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries (D.P.I.) and The Commonwealth Scientific and Investigative Research Organisation (C.S.I.R.O.).

After 24 years of breeding Belmont Red cattle, Mount Eugene runs 700 performance recorded breeders with a 1,400 head strong commercial operation.  All animals are analysed with a 200, 400, and 600 day weights, scrotal circumference, rib-eye and fat scan, as well as calving interval.

To obtain more detailed data concerning carcase traits, Mount Eugene has participated in extensive progeny testing programs; The Co-operative Research Centre for meat quality. With over a thousand progeny submitted and 40 sires analysed, Mount Eugene can offer accurate and detailed information regarding marbling, carcase yield, tenderness and feed conversion. All this attention to research and objective measurements has paid off.  Mount Eugene boasts 3 National Ausmeat Trials, to its credit, with many of its clients or users of Mount Eugene Genetics also securing wins and major placings in national competitions.

The Belmont Red Association has awarded Mount Eugene with its prestigious Seedstock Producer and Exhibitor of the Year, for ten out of the last twelve years.

With such results generated, it's not surprising that international interests have sought the Mount Eugene "Winning Formula".  The operation now boasts progeny in the U.S.A., Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Philippines, Vanuatu, New Guinea and Indonesia, Paraguay, with interest from Thailand, Malaysia, and China.

The Belmont Red breed is 100% Bos Taurus breed adapted to the tropical environments. The temperatures at Mount Eugene and its commercial operation range from -3 degrees to +45 degrees celsius. The cows breed in the summer where the mercury rarely drops below 35° celsius during the day.  Heat tolerance is very high.  The breed has also been selected for tick resistance to handle the tropical parasites.

In conclusion, the Belmont Red is a multi-positional breed in a geographical sense. It is a 100% Bos Taurus breed that offers extremely high meat quality, yet has the heat tolerance and tick resistance to thrive in tropical and sub-tropical environments.

Three Sources of Bos Taurus genetics
British: eg: Angus, Hereford, Devon, Red Poll etc Renown for meat quality, fertility, and fat cover. No tropical adaptation.

European: Charolais, Limousin, Simmental, Gelveih Renown for muscle, leanness and yield.
No tropical adaptation.

African or African derived: eg: Senepol, Belmont, Bonsmara, Tuli, Africander.
Renown for meat quality, fertility, temperament &

How does hybrid vigour gains work?
Hybrid vigour is evident, when two unrelated genotypes meet. The amount of hybrid vigour is proportional to the un-relatedness of the genetics.

1. A Bos Taurus (Senepol) Cross A Bos Indicus (Brahman).
   Maximum hybrid vigour, yielding 10 to 12 % gain in both fertility and growth, from the mean of the parents.
   

2. A Bos Taurus [Senepol] Cross Bos Taurus [ Angus , Charolais ]
   Hybrid vigour effect of 5 to 6% gain in both fertility and Growth, from the mean of the parents.
   

3. A Bos Taurus [ Senepol] Cross A Bos Taurus / Bos Indicus mix [Charbray, Droughtmaster, Brangus]
   Hybrid Vigour effect , is 7 to 9% gain in fertility and growth rate, compared to the mean of the parents. Assume a 50/50 split in Taurus /Indicus make up. Hybrid Vigour is greater with more Indicus content.