Feeding the Future Sustainably: The Benditi Pastoral Company

About

Benditi Pastoral Co, formerly McPhee Beef Farms, is a premium beef production enterprise located in the New England agricultural region of New South Wales, Australia. Spanning approximately 8,400 hectares, the farm specialises in high-quality F1 Wagyu beef, bred from Angus cows and Wagyu bulls. In August 2025, New Forests’ Australia New Zealand Landscapes Opportunities Fund acquired a 50% stake in the farm, partnering with New Agriculture with the aim of implementing a whole-of-landscape approach that integrates carbon sequestration, sustainable forestry, biodiversity conservation, and regenerative agriculture.  The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Key Initiative

At the core of Benditi Pastoral Co’s aspirations is the development of a comprehensive carbon strategy that underpins its transition to regenerative agriculture. This strategy is designed to complement activities across the entire landscape, optimising carbon sequestration through both soil and forest management practices. It will leverage climate forecasting and modelling to inform rotational grazing and pasture management, enhancing soil carbon retention. The farm is also investing in the electrification of on-farm machinery and renewable energy infrastructure to reduce operational emissions. Advanced pasture development, including seasonal and perennial forage rotations, improves soil fertility and supports carbon storage, while infrastructure upgrades optimise resource use. Genetic innovations further contribute to increased beef productivity with reduced environmental impact. Together, these initiatives form a holistic approach that will seek to position Benditi Pastoral Co as a benchmark for institutional-scale regenerative agriculture.

Impact

The partnership between New Forests and Benditi Pastoral Co intends to reshape land use practices in the New England region, demonstrating that premium beef production can coexist with environmental stewardship. The farm expects to see improvements in soil health and carbon retention, driven by rotational grazing and advanced pasture development. Operational greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced through electrification and renewable energy investments. Biodiversity will seek to be enhanced through multi-use land management that integrates forestry, grazing, and conservation. Additionally, climate resilience may be strengthened through data-driven pasture planning informed by climate forecasting. These outcomes have the opportunity to position Benditi Pastoral Co as a benchmark for institutional-scale regenerative agriculture and align with New Forests’ mission to deliver climate-positive, nature-based solutions across landscapes.

Statistics

• 8,400 hectares under regenerative management.
• 50% ownership by New Forests’ ANZ Landscapes Opportunities Fund.
• 100% electrification goal for on-farm machinery.
• Significant increase in forage quality and soil carbon through rotational grazing and pasture innovation (quantitative data pending ongoing monitoring).