Polkinghornes : Australia : Butcher : Beef : Organic : Free Range : Beef at it's best !

Rod Polkinghorne spent all of his childhood on a wheat and sheep farm near the town of Charlton in Northern Victoria. In 1969 he graduated with a Diploma of Agricultural Science from Dookie College. In 1970 Rod was presented with a unique opportunity to be involved in a Farm Exchange Programme and spent the next year based in Minnesota in the United States. It was during this period that Rod's lifelong passion for farming was ignited and his desire to control the farming process and produce quality and consistency with livestock products. He has dedicated his career to working with meat science techniques to achieve these goals.


Rod Polkinghorne spent all of his childhood on a wheat and sheep farm near the town of Charlton in Northern Victoria. In 1969 he graduated with a Diploma of Agricultural Science from Dookie College. In 1970 Rod was presented with a unique opportunity to be involved in a Farm Exchange Programme and spent the next year based in Minnesota in the United States. It was during this period that Rod's lifelong passion for farming was ignited and his desire to control the farming process and produce quality and consistency with livestock products. He has dedicated his career to working with meat science techniques to achieve these goals.

In the early 80's Rod moved into the dairy industry and created the 'Physical' label which is a now an Australian household brand. In 1989 the company was sold to the Coles Myer group and Rod returned to the Beef industry once more. He purchased a farm called 'Marrinya' near Bairnsdale in Victoria. Again his desire to push the boundaries and produce meat that would guarantee consistency and eating quality was stronger than ever. With many years of effort Rod was instrumental in producing the system known as 'MSA' Meat Standards Australia. This process ensures all beef is graded under the MSA eating quality scheme, so it is guaranteed to be tender if cooked using the recommended method. Not just content with being a producer Rod has taken the next step by opening a retail chain known as 'Polkinghornes' which ensures that the beef is produced using sustainable farming practices with a special concern for animal welfare, no hormonal growth promotants, independent grading, full traceback and consistent quality. As Rod says "Everything that can be done, we've done, to bring you a great beef meal".