We visit the Moyle family in Victoria’s Western District, where a
data-driven, family-first approach is shaping the future of their Angus
program.
Elle Moyle is doling out silage to heifers, the tractor idling at the edge of a paddock near Dunkeld in western Victoria. “We’ve just done a pasture test,” she says, “and while we’ve got a lot of standing dry grass, it’s down to low nutritional value now, so we’ve got to start feeding.”
That level of attention is what allows Pathfinder to operate at scale. Running 3,000 stud cattle and selling 500 bulls annually demands consistency—in genetics, nutrition and management.
Sale day is approaching and over the coming weeks, Pathfinder will offer 270 Angus bulls across two states—the largest line of its kind in southern Australia.
“Preparation starts three years before the sale,” Nick Moyle says.
“We go around Australia and to America and New Zealand to physically inspect bulls to ensure docility and structural soundness.”
Genetics from those bulls are then used in the stud.
“It requires constant effort from everyone,” Nick adds.
He and his wife Sara started Pathfinder 30 years ago with just one cow, growing it to include seven properties across South Australia and Victoria.
Their children—Elle, Tom and Harry—are now central to running the business. “It’s so good working as a family,” Elle says.
“We all work really well together and my parents are extremely encouraging and progressive farmers.”
All three siblings spent time away before returning to the family operation. Elle trained as a veterinarian, experience that now feeds back into her work on the farm where she lives with her own young family, Jack, four, and Sophia, two.
“They love the farm life and are with me in the cattle yards most days,” Elle says. “They spend a lot of time with my parents as well, who take them gardening, feeding the animals, trucking cattle.”
After two decades of heavy expansion, the Moyles are now looking inward and fine-tuning what they’ve built. Two years of recent drought have sharpened their focus.
“We’re finessing the business,” Elle says, “and making key efficiencies, while focusing on breeding the highest quality cattle.”
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