A helicopter rescue pilot may seem an unlikely candidate for farming, but running a cattle farm has always been Mark Menkens’ dream.
That’s according to his wife and business partner Sue Menkens, who runs the farm business solo while he’s off saving people’s lives every second week.
The Grandson of a Brisbane butcher, Mark discovered “choppers” through his work mustering cattle and now flies for RACQ CareFlight.
Since moving to Maleny five years ago, the Menkens have steadily built a 300-head herd, and last September they launched the public face of Maleny Black Angus Beef at the Real Food Festival at Maleny.
Most Sunshine Coast hinterland cattle farmers stock Droughtmasters, a cross between the distinctive hump-backed Brahman and British breeds. But after a stint with some “gorgeous” belted Galloways, the Menkens switched to Angus because it was bigger, which meant higher production, Sue said.
