Photo provided by Fiona Sutherland

Connection Between Traditional Murray Greys And Square Meaters

The story of Square Meaters has its origin in the early 20th century when a line of grey calves were born at the Sutherland family’s Thologolong property in the Upper Murray.

Thanks to the determination of Ena Sutherland and her daughter-in-law Helen, these curious grey cattle which were descended from a roan shorthorn cow and a series of different Angus bulls, were line-bred rather than slaughtered. Over time they earned a reputation for their quick growth, superior feed conversion and carcass merit.

In the early 1960’s the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society was formed to register the cattle and to administer the breed.

In the early 1990’s a Mr Ric Pisaturo, believed that the arrival of European breeds of cattle in the 1970’s and 1980’s had impacted on calving, fertility and temperament traits within the Australian cattle industry. He believed there was a need to return to the characteristics that underpinned the earlier Australian cattle. He pursued a line of cattle that were fast growing (early maturing), well-muscled, that met the butcher demand for quality beef.

“I began to wonder how to put together a breed to suit this niche market. In 1993 I decided that only through selection within the Murray Grey breed, could I produce the carcase the local market wanted. I developed the Square Meaters with key traits such as:

  • Compact size for more beef per hectare
  • Superior muscling providing high yielding carcass with excellent commercial appeal
  • Early maturing reaching domestic, restaurant and butcher trade weights at 9-13 months off grass
  • Efficient feed conversion enabling higher stocking rates
  • Highly fertile calving at 2 years of age with shorter joining period
  • Optimal milk production, higher weaning weights
  • “Excellent temperament equals low stress handling and tender meat” (Quote provided by Ric Pisaturo 13.7,2016)

Through meticulous selection of older style pre-1970’s Murray Grey bulls and females, he produced the world’s first ‘Square Meaters’ calves at his Mandalong Stud in 1994.

The first Square Meaters were produced at Mandalong Stud in 1994 following a rigorous selection of pre-1970’s Murray Grey cattle. They were the foundation of Mr Pisaturo’s breeding program.

Square Meaters and the original Murray Greys share the same genetic foundation and deliver similar production performance.

Both are silver or grey in colour and are noted for their good temperament. These cattle boast some outstanding achievements in carcass competitions around Australia. They ideally fit with the discerning domestic market. Their ability to finish on grass underpins their sustainable fit with the environment.

Photo provided by Ric Pisaturo