Farmers Choice Meats began with a simple idea: to provide high-quality beef and pork to local butchers, supermarkets, and customers. In 2007, Brad and Sharon Stenzel decided to turn their passion for farming into a business. Brad’s upbringing on a fifth-generation farm in Croftby, Queensland, where his parents ran a piggery alongside beef and dairy cattle, inspired this vision. Growing up immersed in farm life, Brad helped with the animals, attended cattle sales, and learned about the land his family had worked for generations.
Farmers Choice Meats, a 100% Australian, family-owned wholesaler and processor, specializes in pork and beef. Founded in 1991, it originally served butchers directly from the family farm in the Scenic Rim. Over time, it expanded and now supplies high-quality meat to wholesalers, food service providers, butchers, retailers, and independently owned supermarket.
Brad’s deep connection to agriculture, nurtured by his childhood on the farm, grew into a passion for raising quality livestock. This passion evolved into a vision to supply the community with fresh, locally sourced meat. Brad and Sharon started Farmers Choice Meats to provide the kind of meat they valued – fresh, local, and exceptional. With five generations of farming behind him, Brad wanted to honor that legacy by ensuring their commitment to quality and care for the land was passed down for generations.
As the business grew, so did their commitment to supporting local farmers and suppliers, which became the backbone of Farmers Choice Meats. What began as a small operation expanded as the family formed lasting relationships with trusted farmers across Australia.
The Stenzel family’s next chapter is intertwined with their children, Emily, Katie, and Jacob. Growing up on the farm, they embraced the traditions of farming and the livestock industry. The family’s love for cattle was passed down as Emily, Katie, and Jacob began showing steers at local and regional events. Their involvement further strengthened the family’s bond with the land and the cattle industry.
For Brad and Sharon, seeing their children embrace the farming tradition has been one of the most rewarding aspects of their journey. Their children’s passion for raising and showing cattle reflects the same values Brad learned on the farm. It is a testament to how deeply the love for agriculture and livestock runs in their family.
The journey has not always been easy, but Brad and Sharon’s hands-on approach and dedication to quality have shaped Farmers Choice Meats into the thriving company it is today. They’ve grown from humble beginnings, all while staying true to their values: family, community, and a commitment to providing top-quality meat.
Through it all, the Stenzel family’s passion for farming and livestock remains central to Farmers Choice Meats. They’re not just supplying meat – they’re sharing a legacy built on hard work, care, and a love for the land. As the business continues to grow, Brad and Sharon are excited to see their children carry on the tradition, ensuring that their passion for beef and the livestock industry lives on for generations.