The Early Days
BAR H GRAZING
EST. 1991
Like so many Rural Australian families, Percy and Sandra were given a wonderful opportunity when they drew a Ballot block in the 1971 Central Queensland Brigalow scheme.
It was a modest beginning, residing in a tin shed without power.
The dream of starting a family was their focus and drive from this opportunity. Beginning with a livestock trading model, Percy & Sandra then moved to Bos Indicus cows. Percy began using Angus and Murray Grey bulls after recognising the need to enhance the eating quality of his herd. Whilst these breeds did not handle the climate or environment, they created the perfect base herd to introduce Wagyu.
In 1991, Percy and Wally Rea discovered Wagyu. Sceptical about Wagyu’s ability to handle the climate but with nothing to lose, they chose to take the gamble. They were extremely surprised by the way Wagyu’s adapted and also the many great traits the breed brought to the bottom line. With minimal genetic options in Australia, AI was the only way forward to source the best.
Until 1996, most days (including Christmas Day) were spent AI’ing. This dedication allowed the Hornery’s to begin breeding a stable Wagyu herd, a short five years after initially finding the breed.
The result was an elite breeding status and the foundation of Bar H Wagyu females.
BAR H : Timeline
1971 - 1981
Percy & Sandra Hornery draw the block now known as “DERRANDLOC”, Middlemount. The name was formed from Derran, Randall and Lachlan – Percy & Sandra’s three boys at the time. Percy, Sandra and the four boys (Que now added to the mix) began breeding a Brahman Commercial Herd.
1981 – 1991
1980 - Sold “Derandloc”
1981 - Purchased Stockyard, Clarke Creek
1985 - Sold Stockyard, Clarke Creek
Early 1986 - Purchased Jimandy, Clarke Creek
1989 - Purchased Horse Creek, Moranbah
1990 - Sold Jimarndy, Clarke Creek
1991 – 2000
The Bar H brand was founded
1993-1996 – Began marketing ‘Bar H Beef’ paddock to plate
1994 – Began DNA testing through hair samples, blood and semen
1996 - 22 Full blood Cows were purchased from David Blackmore and Bar H became a Full Wagyu based herd
1998 – Produced first Bar H Fullblood Wagyu Bull
2000 - Leased “Terang” a property of 61,000 acres
2001 – 2011
2004 – "Horse Creek” was sold
2006 – "River Lea" was purchased
2007 – Lease on “Terang” was finalised
Supplied feeders to AACo. via the Aranoui Feedlot, Oakey
2011 – 2021
2012 - A partnership formed with Global Reproduction Solutions allowing Bar H to expand through another intensive ET program
2012 - Supplied feeders to Rangers Valley, Deepwater
2013 – Built ‘Main Yards’ at River Lea, including under cover area, sprinkler system and power to allow for advanced technology
2013 – Began trialling Tissue Sampling Units for DNA testing
2014 -
2015 – New Bar H Office Complex, Stables and Selling Ring completed
2016 - Bar H’s first annual Bull Sale was held with 100% clearance
from 120 Lots
- Top Price bull, BARFK1416, sold for $22,500
- Top Priced females were an unjoined heifer, BARFL01656 for $14,000 and BARFK1637 who was joined to GRSFK0483 for $14,000.
2017 – Invested in telemetry as a water security technique
2018 – Implemented the strategy to split the joining periods across two seasons, Autumn / Spring
2018 – Built ‘Centre Pivot Yards’ at River Lea with a 6 – way crush draft
2019 – Began supplying feeders to Jacks Creek via the Smithfield Feedlot, Proston
2019 – Began entering the RNA ‘Paddock to Palate' competition on an annual basis
2021 – Held inaugural ‘Female Wagyu Auction’ on farm
