On The Land
18 August, 2026
Sahara Brahmans ready for beef day
SOME of the region’s best stud cattle will be on show at the Better Beef Open Day this weekend, with Arriga’s Sahara Brahman Stud set to debut in the eighth annual event.
A total of 12 different breeds will be showcased over 11 studs across the Tablelands, giving commercial cattle producers an array of choices to enhance their bottom line.
The country’s cattle industry is currently booming, with exports topping 1.5 million tonnes for the first time in 2025, and the early months of this year were up about 20% on that.
Open Day president Nick Trompf said that while seasons across Australia had been volatile and international tensions had caused a big jump in inflation, beef prices were surging.
“Australia’s southern states went through significant destocking phases, with Victoria and South Australia battling severe drought conditions in 2025 and then much of New South Wales and southern Queensland hit by the dry this year,” he said.
“Thankfully, widespread rain has now taken the pressure off for many and it’s plainly evident just how heavily numbers were cut during the dry as we see restockers competing fiercely for young cattle.”
Joining this year’s Open Day for the first time is Joseph Agius and his stud, Sahara Brahmans, with the long-time cattleman looking forward to getting his name out there.
“I did the Rotary Field Days two years ago, and there were a lot of people that have known me since I was a kid, but no one knew I was doing stud cattle,” he said.
“We brought a few bulls along and then people that I’ve known for ages just bought them – we sold all the bulls. So, I think this event will be a good way for me to just get my name out there in that way.”
Sahara Brahmans has been breeding premium Brahman cattle since 1984, with Joseph’s father operating the stud until 2015 before Joseph “rebooted” it again in 2017.
With a focus on Red Brahmans, Joseph said his stud had new genetics and was heading in the direction for more polled (hornless) cattle.
“We’re starting to get into poly (polled) genetics now,” the 45-year-old said.
“…A bit of old blood too, like South African blood, Dinka blood, and there’s a bit of old Warrior and Cherokee lines back in it, but all under the new poly genetics.”
He said polled or polled/scurred (with small, horn-like growths) cattle were becoming more desirable to cattle producers.
“It’s mostly to avoid having to dehorn them, plus it makes it safer for transport or when you’re in the yard with them,” he said.
Jospeh said his focus when breeding quality cattle came down to solid bone structure, good utters, tidy navels, and a flat back. He also spends on average nearly three hours a day on his herd, as well as a full Sunday most weeks – fostering good temperament.
“If you’re selling cattle to people, you don’t want them to get hurt,” he said.
“So if I sell you a bull, then you go in the yard with him and he smashes you, that’s not good temperament – you want them quiet.
“You’ve got to spend time with them, it doesn’t matter what breed of cattle.”
Joseph, who’s been working with cattle since he was four years old, said he was running about 560 head all up, with around 70 stud cows and nearly 500 commercial. His herd is spread across properties in Arriga, Mutchilba, Julatten, and Tarzali.
A Brahman man through and through, he believes they’re one of the hardier Australian breeds.
“I’ve always been a Brahman person and I believe they’re the safer cattle to deal with in the tropics, because they can handle ticks and flies and drought,” he said.
“A lot of people have started to move away from them and I just want to show that they’re still the dominant Australian cattle, I reckon.”
Sahara Brahmans Stud is located at 33 Barbetti Road, Arriga. To get in contact, phone Joseph on 0428 329 917, Jamiene on 0414 507 021, or email josephagius@live.com.
The Better Beef Open Day will take place this Sunday from 9am-4.30pm. View the official guide to this year’s Better Beef Open Day by visiting https://bit.ly/45m9X1X
Breeds On Show:
Angus
Brahman (Red & Grey)
Brangus
Droughtmaster
Miniature Herefords
Murray Grey
Red Angus
Santa Gertrudis
Shorthorn
Speckle Park
Ultrablacks
