For Robert “Macka” Mackenzie, fourth-generation cattle farmer behind Macka's Australian Black Angus Pastoral & Beef, it comes down to the one-percenters.

In this episode of Straight To The Source, Tawnya Bahr invites Macka into the studio to explore the small decisions that add up to better beef, from premium Angus genetics and soil health to pasture management, sustainability, traceability and resilience.

Macka shares his journey from leaving school at 14 and growing up on the family farm to building an operation spanning more than 20,000 acres across eight New South Wales properties, with the fifth generation now involved.

They unpack how drought, bushfires and floods reshaped the business, driving investment in water infrastructure, fire preparedness and farm resilience. Macka also explains why healthy soil is central to the future of Australian cattle farming, and how rotational grazing, soil science and increasing soil carbon can improve water-holding capacity.

The conversation moves beyond the farm gate into the realities of building a branded beef business. Macka shares why provenance, traceability, animal welfare and sustainability matter to today’s consumers, how Macka's diversified into eight export markets, and how having its brand copied overseas accelerated its investment in paddock-to-plate traceability.

They also explore nose-to-tail value adding, from sausages, meatballs and dumplings to award-winning beef pies, alongside Macka's significant investment in Angus genetics, marbling, fertility and feed efficiency.

It’s a straight-talking conversation about Australian beef, Angus genetics, regenerative farming, soil carbon, sustainability, traceability, export markets and the future of farming.

Because great beef isn’t created by one big decision. It’s built through hundreds of small ones.

Resources

• Meat and Livestock Australia https://www.mla.com.au/
• Royal Agricultural Society https://www.rasnsw.com.au/

This episode is proudly presented by Seaway Logistics, local experts in global trade.

Learn More & Connect with Seaway.

Website: https://www.seaway.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seawaygroup

About Robert Mackenzie

Robert “Macka” Mackenzie is a fourth-generation New South Wales cattle farmer and the driving force behind Macka's Australian Black Angus Pastoral & Beef.

With a strong focus on premium Angus genetics, soil health, sustainability, traceability and eating quality, Macka has helped grow the family operation to more than 20,000 acres across eight properties, with the fifth generation now involved in the business.

His philosophy is simple: focus on the one-percenters, produce with pride and leave the land and business in better shape for the next generation.

About Straight To The Source

Straight To The Source brings you closer to the chefs, producers, growers and makers across the entire food chain, the people shaping where food is headed and why it matters. Hosted by food experts Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon.

Follow, rate and review Straight To The Source to help more people discover the stories shaping Australia's food and hospitality industry.

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• Website: http://straighttothesource.com.au

Tawnya Bahr

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr/ 
• Instagram: @tawnyabahr  
• Email: tbahr@straighttothesource.com.au

Lucy Allon

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• Instagram: @lucy_allon 
• Email: lucy@straighttothesource.com.au

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