Sharon Betts, who runs 10,000 head of organic cattle at her family properties at “Epsilon” Queensland and “Mungerannie” SA, joins founding organic producer Directors David Brook from Birdsville and Peter Schmidt from Charleville, together with Hong Kong-based Deirdre Lander.

Running an an organic Hereford/Angus cattle herd over 810,000ha, Sharon and husband Graham Betts have officially been in the organic business since the late 1990s. 

Epsilon, 200,000ha, and Mungerannie, 610,000 ha, make up the Betts family’s operation, with 10,000 head across the two properties in south west Queensland. 

Ms Betts said because of the size of their properties, which don’t require the use of any sprays nor have any pests, their operation had always been fairly organic before joining with OBE. 

The Betts family send their 18-24 month old steers more than 1300km to the Stanbroke meatworks in Grantham, where they aim for a dressed weight of about 300kg. 

“It’s around that weight range that you get between 18 and 24-months that we like to sell them,” Ms Betts said. “We don’t like to sell them as weaners, and any older they’re getting too many teeth.”

Ms Betts said they  had been involved with OBE Organics “since the beginning”, and said she had always played a role as a shareholder. 

“We generally go to most of the AGMs, and have done a trip overseas with them to have a look at where our cattle end up,” she said.

Married for 39 years this year, Mr and Mrs Betts had four children, Luke (deceased), Jaymee, Carly and Clayton. 

OBE Organic Chair David Brook said Sharon Betts brought experience to the board.

“Sharon is well known for being among the top graziers in the region, she brings 40 years of expertise across a range of business and community interests, and she will do a wonderful job representing the interests of local cattle producers,” Mr Brook said.