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Hartwood Agriculture provides inputs, technology, and advisory services to cattle producers across northern Australia. Our approach to cattle production is founded on genetic adaptation, supported by regenerative methods of soil and pasture health to complement animal health.

Based in the Bundaberg region of Queensland, Hartwood works with producers to test genetics for fertility and resilience in genuinely challenging conditions. Bundaberg’s seasonal rainfall from December to April, high humidity, fast-developing parasite loads, and low-protein pastures during the dry months mean that an animal performing well in this environment will perform well just about anywhere in the tropics.

The Hartwood program draws on a long tradition of cattle production, combined with practical experience in African Sanga breeds — particularly the Tuli and Mashona. These breeds were originally introduced to Australia by CSIRO in 1988–90 through an embryo transfer program from Zimbabwe, establishing a foundation genetic pool that has since become available to commercial producers across the country.

From 2020 to 2026, Hartwood contributed to the revival and wider availability of Tuli genetics in Australia and to the development of the Solera composite — a commercially relevant, robust breed designed for extensive rangeland environments. Today, Tuli and Solera are widely available commercial animals, accessible to producers of all scales through established industry channels.

Our selection philosophy centres on balance across all cattle traits. Optimum size and performance translate directly to profitability for producers. Every animal in the Hartwood-influenced program must perform on grass, and genetic adaptation remains the primary selection tool. We integrate best-practice strategic use of suitable supplements and chemical parasite control where necessary, though this is minimised to ensure animals develop genuine immunity through controlled exposure to their environment.

Hartwood also supports the broader Solera Nature Positive Beef program, which coordinates management practices across producers to deliver premium market access, nature-positive certification, and complete traceability from birth to boxed beef.

All good things take time, especially in cattle breeding. The most important lesson we’ve learned is that it is people, and their mindset — not cattle, climate, or market conditions — that determine the success of an enterprise. We warmly welcome all those ready for change.