In 2005, Murray Grey breeders world wide celebrated the breed's 100th birthday. In 1905, some uniquely coloured calves were born as the result of an accidental cross between a registered Black Angus bull and a roan cow - probably Shorthorn. These calves were bred back to Black Angus and consistently produced silver coated animals with a black hide. A breed was born called Murray Greys: "Grey" describing their hair coat color, and Murray describing the setting of the farm beside the Murray River in Australia.

These cattle were recognized for their feed efficiency, probably naturally selected due to the "drought" environment in which they were developed. They were naturally polled, had outstanding maternal traits, were of moderate size, were easy fleshing and truly docile. The Murray Grey bull is known for his fertility and the ease of calving. Calves are vigorous and wean at weights that the backgrounder and feedlots prefer. They were described as the cattlemen's cattle, crossing well with many breeds.

The carcass characteristics were also noted and to this day, most carcass competitions in Australia are being won by the Murray Grey or its cross. This has been copied in Canada with Murray Grey steers winning the Calgary Stampede Carcass Championship in 2000 and 2004, and Reserve Grand Champion Carcass in 2003. This may be attributable to recent GeneStar testing results which has shown that Murray Grey sires in Australia have more than 4 times the incidence of two stars on the Tenderness 2 test, than sires of any other breed. Quality is in the genes!