01

Results at a Glance

• An estimated 10 million litres of rainwater captured annually

• 6.3kg heavier hot standard carcase weights

• $47 per head in additional carcase value

• 0.45kg more dry matter intake per head per day

• 5.2 litres less drinking water per head per day

02

Client Overview

Stanbroke Rangers Feedlot is one of Australia's largest long-fed feedlots and one of the country's most recognised premium beef operations. The 40,000-head Glen Innes operation runs long-fed Wagyu and Black Angus programs across nine premium brands, including the Otto Reserve Black Angus label, reaching more than 50 markets worldwide. The feedlot was acquired by Stanbroke in late 2025. The Ridgeback® project was delivered under the previous ownership of Marubeni Corporation.

The site sits in a 900mm average rainfall zone, one of the wetter lot-feeding environments in Australia. Moisture permeating the pen floor degraded the gravel base and subgrade layer, producing holes that required gravel, machinery, fuel and labour to repair on a two-year cycle. A shade or netting solution was not viable given the cold, wet winters and mild summers of the New England Tablelands.

03

Key Outcomes

The 440 by 30 metre Ridgeback® permanent shelter is estimated to capture over 10 million litres of rainwater each year. Water that previously ran across the pen floor as contaminated effluent is collected from the roof, stored and reused as drinking water for the herd. In a 900mm rainfall zone, that single outcome reshapes both the environmental footprint and the operating cost of the feedlot.

Independent MLA research at the site, published in 2024, evaluated 5,178 long-fed Angus steers over their final 110 days on feed. Cattle in pens partially covered by the Ridgeback® with woodchip bedding ate 0.45kg more dry matter per day and exited 11.1kg heavier than cattle in outdoor bedded pens. They also produced hot standard carcase weights 6.3kg heavier, equal to around $47 per head in additional carcase value. Cattle under cover also drank 5.2 litres less water per head per day.