News
Everything Macka, industry news and community.
PTIC heifers in calf to $225,000 Iceman make $4300 at Gloucester sale
Angus heifers pregnancy-tested-in-calf to the $225,000 Texas Iceman R725 topped at $4300 at Macka's Beef female sale at Gloucester on Thursday 21st March 2024.
Macka’s Becomes Carbon Neutral
The Macka’s operation is celebrating becoming carbon neutral from paddock to gate without buying offsets or credits.
Macka’s Welcome Thunderstruck T383
Welcome Thunderstruck T383! We couldn't be more thrilled to introduce this phenomenal bull to our operation.
Improved pasture through precision mapping has led Macka's Pastoral to carbon neutral status
A decision to become carbon neutral from paddock to the front gate is an investment in the future of farming at Woko Station via Gloucester.
Macka’s Driving On-Farm Carbon Neutral Outcomes
NSW beef producer, Macka’s Pastoral, has demonstrated that on-farm productivity can be increased while achieving carbon neutrality, without the use of offsets or taking land out of production for large-scale tree planting.
Owned and operated by four generations of the Mackenzie family at Gloucester on the State’s Mid North Coast, Macka’s runs 3,500 commercial breeders and 200 seed stock breeders. The business supplies beef to both the domestic market and export markets in Asia and the Middle East.
Gloucester Angus Verified female sale sets a record for 2023 selling season
Buyers were transported back in time at Gloucester on Friday as bids for three-in-one breeding units hit $5450 - a result more like 2022 than anything seen in the current market.
The sale was part of the first commercial female offering for Macka's Angus Beef and the first in Australia for breeders listed as Angus Verified.
Momentum Commbank Sustainability Conference
A panel on carbon markets highlighted their inherent complexity due to multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments, as well as the terminology. But one thing is clear – there are significant opportunities in the market once the challenges of carbon credit sourcing, governance and transparency are satisfied. Businesses that buy carbon credits must also commit to their own transition journey. New South Wales cattle farmer Robert Mackenzie stole the stage, as he explained the story behind the carbon credits offered by his family’s near-neutral cattle station and beef export business.
Why On-Farm Sustainability Measurement Is Worth The Effort
Producer Robert ‘Macka’ MacKenzie, Managing Director of Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef, says the ROI on sustainability and measurement investment has been clear in his operation. In 2022, Macka’s decided to do 1,200 soil samples and in February 2023 we increased that number to 1,400.
“One of the reasons we did all that measurement was because we wanted to prove that it is doable. And it is. The truth is, it’s not as daunting as you think it’s going to be, and when you look at profitability versus sustainability, the balance is definitely there.”
Introducing Circle 8 Rosebud S669 to the Macka’s Herd
ANGUS breed records fell on two occasions at the Circle 8 Angus female sale as an explosive sale ring experienced breeders chasing yearling heifers to tops of $140,000. The records came off the back of the Cooper family, Marula, taking the courageous step to offer the entire S-drop of their heifer line, which created a frenzy with buyers that saw an opportunity to buy the best on offer.
Field Variability with fieldcore by agricore
FIELDCORE by Agricore allows us the ability to view & manage our field variability.
Agricore produces Macka's high-definition zone maps of our soil's potential & conservation areas into management zones, enabling us to sustainably apply crop inputs to the field whilst saving you time, money & resources.
This enables us to grow differently - linking productivity with profitability.
Stress-free cattle monitoring with optiweigh
At Macka’s we are proud to collaborate with Optiweigh, an in-paddock weighing solution that accurately monitors our Cattle's weight gain and eliminates animal stress. Optiweigh allows us to monitor our Cattle's weigh-grain in a stress-free, grazing environment without mustering them into the weighing yards monthly and provides real-time data
Tracking our cattle anywhere, anytime
Integrating the Ceres Tag with our Aglive, this innovative technology monitors biosecurity, health, welfare performance, and traceability provenance of the supply chain network with theft detection.
First iceman calves hit the ground
Mackas are excited to have the first-ever Texas Iceman calves hit the ground! Born early, easy calving, long-bodied and super soft skin, the first calves have not disappointed. We look forward to 1000 commercial calves this spring, 150 ET calves and 75 stud calves.
Robert Mackenzie says, "If you study the pedigree of Iceman R725, combined with his impressive eye appeal and breed-leading performance, it makes him a leading young sire."
What you need to know about foot & mouth Disease
With the recent threat of Foot & Mouth Disease to Australia, we thought it was important to share some information on what is already in place to keep our industry safe and allow us to continue to produce the best food in the world.
Foot & Mouth Disease is a genuine threat to the Agricultural Industry, so we all must take responsibility for our actions, both those on-farm in Australia and those returning from overseas.
For us Macka’s this means ensuring our on-farm biosecurity plan is up-to-date and keeping a log of everyone that visits our farm.
Let's all stay calm and support those who are working hard to keep this out of Australia.
Lord Howe Island cattle comeback thanks to Macka's Angus Beef
Beef cattle have made an emotional homecoming to Lord Howe Island, three years after producers were forced to destroy their livestock due to a rodent eradication scheme.
The lengthy process, which was coordinated by Robert Mackenzie and Marc Robson of Macka's Australian Black Angus Beef, Salt Ash, saw the delivery of 21 head on Sunday consigned to two farmers.
“Carbon neutral: Emission control blocks solve methane puzzle”
MAJOR Angus beef producer Robert Mackenzie is well on his way to making his large scale integrated livestock and beef business carbon neutral, with every intention of making his 3500 head breeder operation carbon negative.
“Premium prices for Macka's females in private sale to Cougar”
ANGUS breeders are making the most of the current high market and scoring high prices, but it's not every day that young females fetch stud prices straight out of the paddock. Gloucester breeders and beef brand owners Bruce and Rob Mackenzie, Macka's Australian Black Angus Beef, recently sold a large number of future breeders at premium prices.
“It's not quantity, it's Quality”
"Quality is Something that has been installed in me from such a young age. It's Something that we live by; it's Something that when we go to bed at night, we think about; it's Something that i remember my father saying to me a long time ago. Son, it's not quantity, it's Qual
6 Head & Mackas dinner event
We take a look back at our collaboration with 6 Heads Sydney as we enjoyed an intermate evening with guests and shared our story.
The Macka’s Angus family had the opportunity to present our story to guests as they devoured a beautiful 4-course dinner.
Mackas Pastoral Heifer sale
You might have seen Macka on the tele a couple of weeks back.
Beef farmer Robert Mackenzie was watching from relative rural safety as metro local government areas (LGAs) began to lock down with COVID-19, and he wanted to help.