 In 1952 Ken Atkinson was a foundation member of the Australian Zebu-Cross Beef Cattle Breeders Association (later the Australian Tropical Beef Breeders' Association) formed by his older brother, Robert La Mont Atkinson, and other Brahman breeders who were experimenting with cross breeding.The objective of the organisation was to improve the cross breeds to a high standard, and to collect, verify and publish information relating to them.Between 1952-54, Wairuna cattle were used for a study of comparative live weights and carcase weights and grades of beef using Brahman cross and British steers carried out by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock (Dept A&S).