MEET THE OWNERS
ROB AND ELIZA NIOA
NIOA Santa Gertrudis, Stud No. 2122, was established by Robert and Eliza Nioa following the purchase of Talgai Homestead near the town of Allora on the rolling pastures of the Southern Downs.
The heritage-listed Talgai Homestead has been home to several Santa Gertrudis studs in the past. The Nioa family is passionate about continuing the tradition and building long-term relationships.
From the outset, NIOA Santa Gertrudis has set about acquiring some of the best genetics available and has an intensive breeding plan in place.
The herd, under the management of Shannon Gardner, has grown to comprise some of the best stud females available in the business.
This, combined with procuring cattle from a diverse range of breeders and extensive AI, ET and IVF programs, has been the foundation of the stud.
In 2022, NIOA Santa Gertrudis formed a strategic business relationship with Riverina Santa Gertrudis’ Rob Sinnamon with a view to further developing the genetic pool to produce quality cattle that are commercially focussed and industry relevant.
The Nioas have a love for farming life. They feel privileged to be part of the local Allora community, the extended Santa Gertrudis community and the beef cattle industry.
HOMESTEAD HISTORY
OUR PROPERTY
In 1868, Queensland pastoralist George Edwin Clark commissioned English architect Richard Suter to design and build Talgai Homestead.
When completed, “East Talgai” as it was known then, covered 1500sqm. It was built of 50cm thick sandstone blocks quarried, it is believed, on the property, and was ideal for the harsh summer climate, with wide verandahs on three sides of its hollow rectangular shape.
At its primary producing peak in the 1880s, Talgai was a hugely successful merino stud spread over almost 13,000ha and with 20,000 sheep and 3000 Devon cattle.
In 1934, both the cattle and the sheep studs were sold at public auction, leaving about 300ha on the block around the homestead.
Since purchasing Talgai in September 2013, the Nioa family has undertaken significant restoration and improvements and secured additional land to increase production scale.
Talgai Homestead is one of Australia’s premier properties and the Nioa family is proud to be the custodian of a piece of Australian architectural and agricultural history.
