Our Story
David & Wendy
David Deane-Spread, Datajak’s founder, loves animals, especially dogs, horses and cattle, for their intelligence, their demeanour and their usefulness. However, he spent most of his time with dogs and horses and only in 2018 did he decide to learn more about cattle.
After a long drought, then floods and bushfires, Australia’s northern herd was decimated. David made it his mission to help re-establish that herd in the best possible way.
In 2018 David created DATAJAK stud. The name DATAJAK is formed from the initials of his four children in the order of their birth – Daniel; Tatham; James and Kiri.
The stud commenced with four Brahman heifers to which was introduced a Charolais bull for the first cross Charbray progeny.
Agisting in Wokalup just south of Harvey in Western Australia, David learned he’d made a mistake! He was the only registered Charbray breeder in the west and Queensland was where the Charbray is of interest.
Biosecurity issues and the cost of transport to the Queensland market left David with Charbray that no one in Western Australia wanted. A valuable lesson was learned!
David pivoted rapidly, doing research first. Staying with the Brahman cows he chose to cross them with Australia’s Murray Grey to produce the Greyman.
David purchased from the highly respected Lana Downs Murray Grey stud their well-proven senior bull, Lana Downs Jupiter (PB) to cover five white and grey registered Brahmans cows purchased from the renowned Brahman breeders D & K Lovelock.
The Datajak Greyman have these traits:
- Docile (doubly so, as Murray Grey and Brahman are both very docile breeds).
- White, grey, silver coat & dark skin.
- Poll.
- Ideal meat-bone ratio, marbling.
- Right leg length, not too long.
- Right-sized head for an easy birth.
- Laidback shoulders for an easy birth.
- Ideal calf size and quick growing.
- Does well in tough conditions.
- Tick resistant.
- Hybrid vigour.
Foundation Murray Grey Bull – Jupiter
The first cross progeny that fit the Datajak criteria will be offered directly to discerning owners of the northern herd by invitation only.
Trust in the line is a hard-earned quality and Datajak protects its reputation by working closely with discerning station owners to ensure Australia’s northern herd is world-class.
The Datajak Greyman will be a major boon to the Australian northern herd.
In April 2021 Datajak purchased two pregnant grey Brahman cows from the Lovelock’s just before they dispersed their herd on their retirement.
In July 2021 they birthed two look-alikes purebred Brahman bull calves.
David has decided to keep one of the bulls and create an alternative Greyman herd – Murray Grey Cows served by the Brahman bull (once it’s ready!).
Other Interests
Datajak is committed to innovation in the animal slaughter space, including advocating for the value-adding of meat products in lieu of live exportation.
Both aspects are controversial and complex.
When David isn’t at Datajak he’s busy serving his corporate, government and small business clients in the leadership space, as a CEO coach and consultant.
David’s aim is to help his clients become the publicly recognised preferred employers and providers in their spaces.
Watch this space!
David will update and share the Datajak journey via our blog.
Foundation Females