Set in the green cattle country outside Mount Gambier, Ardno Performance Livestock brings breeding, production and end markets together in one integrated system.
Run by third generation producer Harry Comley, the Ardno operation has grown into a paddock-to-plate beef business that gives the team complete visibility over performance and quality.
“We get to see the product from day dot, all the way through to the end,” Harry said.
“So that probably sets us apart a little bit.”
Ardno runs around 1,500 commercial cows alongside a 150 head stud herd, but the business extends well beyond breeding. Cattle are finished on grass, processed, and ultimately end up in the family’s restaurant business, a popular Mount Gambier event venue and steakhouse known as The Barn. That closed loop gives the family a clear line of sight between livestock management decisions and eating quality.
Rather than focusing on breed type or appearance, Ardno’s breeding decisions are driven by carcase performance, particularly intramuscular fat (IMF).
“Seeing cattle on the hook is how we measure whether what we’re doing is working, and that’s always been our end game,” Harry says.
“Genetic selection is huge for us, particularly around carcase traits and IMF, because IMF is directly correlated to eating quality and we see fewer upgrades as that improves.”
Over the past four years, the business has continued to lift productivity through Performance Livestock expanded land, increased carrying capacity and a strong focus on irrigation and pasture performance. Pivots, forage crops and a consistent feeding system have improved resilience and throughput, even in tougher seasons.
“Growing high performance pastures has been a key focus,” Harry says.
“Putting a feeding system in place has really lifted our carrying capacity. It’s improved how cattle perform through to processing and allowed us to run more numbers in good condition, even though tougher periods.”
Supporting Ardno across its stud and commercial operations is Elders, through Millicent-based Livestock Manager John Jolly and the wider South Australian stud stock team. The relationship with Elders spans year-round decision making, not just sale day.
“I’d describe Ardno as a very dynamic client, they are definitely a paddock-to-plate sort of operation,” John said.
John works closely with Harry and the broader Ardno team, providing practical support across the business, including in the lead up to Ardno’s annual bull sale.
“I’ve really enjoyed the lead up, helping the team get the bulls weighed, tagged and even washing them,” he said.
“It’s just good to get out here and be a part of their business.”
Ardno’s recent bull sale delivered a solid clearance and encouraging prices in both the Hereford and Angus offerings. The sale produced a top price of $8,500, alongside strong demand across the catalogue.
The bulls Ardno presents are bred and prepared to work in commercial conditions, backed by data and shaped by real world feedback from the rest of the operation.
“They’re bred to operate in a commercial system,” Harry said.
“They’re presented in a way that reflects how they’ll actually be used, not just how they look on a sale day.”
Looking ahead, Ardno’s focus remains on steady improvement across both the stud and commercial herds, with carcase performance and Meat Standards Australia (MSA) outcomes front of mind.
“The aim is to keep lifting the number of cattle that are grading to the level we’re chasing,” Harry said.
“If we can keep improving carcase outcomes year on year, production follows, and that’s what keeps the business profitable over the long term.”
