Precision finishing delivers standout MSA results

Originally known for their ability to produce some of Tasmania’s finest whisky and gin, Ross and Mary Mace have added the title of producing the state’s best beef to the mix after their recent Meat Standards Australia (MSA) win.

The pair took home the best Larger Non-Grainfed Producer Award for Tasmania in the MSA 2023–25 Excellence in Eating Quality Awards. 

Over the two-year period, the Mace family consigned 234 head and had an average MSA Index of 63.41 and compliance of 99%.

Farming on old cattle country 

Nestled in the Upper Derwent Valley at Ouse is the historic ‘Lawrenny Estate’, home to the Mace family’s whisky and gin distillery and beef cattle enterprise. 

Originally from Queensland, the couple purchased the 80ha homestead block when they moved to Tasmania in 1992. They doubled the property 10 years later when they purchased a neighbouring 80ha block.

According to Ross, beef production on the estate dates back to 1813, when the land was allocated to Lieutenant Edward Lord, who was in the first contingent which sailed to establish the ‘Van Diemen’s Land’ settlement on the Derwent in February 1804.  

“Lawrenny Estate originally comprised more than 16,200ha and became renowned for its cattle, sheep and abundant fields of wheat, barley and hops,” Ross said.

“It was at the end of World War II when its then owners, the Brock family (who lost their two sons in the war) sold Lawrenny Estate to the Tasmanian Government to be split up into returned soldier settlement blocks.”

A strong connected supply chain 

Today, the property grows barley to produce the Maces’ single malt whisky and Angus steers.

“We buy in predominantly Angus weaners at a liveweight of 330–350kg,” Ross said.

“We then rear them for about 15 months until they reach our desired weight, which

is a minimum dressed weight of 380kg and a top of 420kg.

“Our business is very entwined with JBS Swift, who not only processes our cattle, but commissions our cattle buyer who makes our weaner purchases directly from breeders.”

Ross’s target market is the JBS premium grassfed brand, Little Joe, which has a range of specifications including that cattle must achieve MSA grading and have a marble score of 4+. 

Any of their cattle that don’t fit the Little Joe brand, go into JBS’s Great Southern Pinnacle Grass Fed Beef brand, which also requires MSA grading and a marble score of 2+. 

Quality nutrition year round 

With an annual average rainfall of 400mm and access to irrigation from the River Derwent, Lawrenny Estate’s clover and ryegrass pastures remain green and productive year round – regardless of seasonal conditions. 

“When cattle first arrive on the property, we settle them in the yards for 10–14 days, feed them hay and get them used to electric fencing,” Ross said.

“We have permanent fences to carry electricity around the farm and temporary electric fences are used to subdivide paddocks, so we can easily move our herd onto fresh pasture every three days.”

If they have to feed out in May, the Maces use hay for roughage and during the height of winter they feed high quality silage which is produced on-farm. They also feed hay again in August and September, if necessary.

Using the data 

When reviewing carcase grading results, the Maces pay particular attention to eye muscle, fat cover and rump.

“We use the carcase feedback we receive to help make informed decisions that will enable us to keep meeting the required grades for those beef brands we are targeting,” Ross said.

“It feels terrific to see it’s paid off – more so to say, ‘we produce some of Tasmania’s best whisky, gin and beef’.”