Adaptation is key when it comes to longevity in the farming game, said Steven Scott.

As the sixth-generation cattle farmer prepares to sell more than 200 Angus bulls in the annual spring sales season, he says it’s resilience, innovation, and courage that has seen his family’s 6000-acre enterprise stand the test of time.

Steven and his wife Cindy carry on a legacy that began in 1875 when Steven’s forebears settled in the Henty area.

In 1956, Bob and Mavis Scott started the Glen Elgin Angus Stud which was continued on by Steven’s parents, Jeff and Alison.

To eke out a living from the new country on which they found themselves, it was essential for Steven’s ancestors to clear it of trees and shrubs as that meant growing more grass.

Cindy and Steven have flipped that mantra and today sustainability sits at the core of their business operations.

The Scotts have a goal of revegetating a minimum of 10 per cent of their land with native plants to create shelterbelts, shade corridors, and wildlife habitat.

Their focus on the environment is equal in measure to that of breeding cattle with genetics actively selected for resilience traits like fertility, temperament, and calving ease.

“We’re regularly pivoting to meet market changes, technological advancements in the breed, and client needs,” said Steven of the family-run enterprise.

Several sets of eyes on the operation, and the many skillsets within it, mean all facets are covered.

“Our team meet weekly, and we continually monitor where we are at, what needs to be done and by whom.

“Cindy and I are always measuring to see if we are achieving buy-in from all involved - the staff, clients, and our communities.

“Adapt or die.

"It’s that simple, and we continue in this spirit as we face new challenges.”

He said these include climate instability and the increasing frequency and duration of droughts.

“The farm has been a going concern for the last 150 years, and for it to weather the next 150, we make sustainability central to everything we do,” said Steven.

“A part of our responsibility here is to take care of the land so that it can take care of us.”