Mr McDonald died in Townsville Hospital on Wednesday night. He had suffered major injuries during a fall from a windmill on a property at Cloncurry more than a fortnight ago.

It is understood that Mr McDonald suffered a fractured skull and other internal injuries in the fall.

Following the accident Mr McDonald, 41, was flown to the Townsville Hospital.

The death came as a major shock as it was understood Mr McDonald's condition was improving and was communicating with family members.

The McDonald family is Australia's largest private landholders running 175,000 head of cattle across 11 cattle stations covering an area of 3.36 million hectares in Queensland.

Cattle are bred in the Cape York Peninsula area, backgrounded in the Cloncurry/Winton/Central Highlands districts and then finished on grain at the family's feedlot on the Darling Downs.

Mr McDonald is survived by his wife Julie and their four daughters as well as the extended McDonald family.

MDH is one of Australia's largest beef cattle operations, unique in the fact that the company is both family owned and operated.

With a wide geographical spread of country in Australia's vast Queensland outback, MDH Pty Ltd finishes many animals at the company owned Wallumba feedlot at Condamine.

MDH is also a major shareholder in the Super Butcher retail outlets in South East Queensland.

Cloncurry mayor Andrew Daniels said Mr McDonald, a man who lived and breathed the bush, would be missed by the North West community.

"It was a bad day for Cloncurry, a bad day for the North West, a bad day for the beef industry of Australia and he'll be very widely missed."

"Zanda and I grew up in the same area, I have a lot of respect for his mum and dad and his wife is a great lady.

"It brings you to your knees to think about how much his little girls are going to miss their dad."

Acting Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Andrew Cripps said he was filled with sadness to learn of Zanda's passing.

"Zanda was following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps as a respected and innovative beef producer and beef industry leader. He had a strong commitment to the industry and its future," he said.

"His astute management of the family company, McDonald Holdings (MDH), ensured it maintained its pre-eminent position as Australia's largest privately-owned cattle operation.

"Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathies are extended to his immediate and extended family during this very difficult time. Zanda McDonald will be sorely missed." - with QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE

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