Gympie Carcase Competition entries close on Friday February 17

Earlier this year, it was announced all livestock entered in the Carcase Classic will be put in paddocks all together for five weeks before entering the feedlot.

But, persistent drought conditions have meant the original Berthelsen family’s property, where the cattle were to be backgrounded, is too dry.

Competition secretary Kate Power said cattle will now be backgrounded at the Pratt family’s property at Tansey.

“Unfortunately, the weather has not been kind to the Berthelsen family with the rain simply not falling,” Ms Power said.

“However, after their successes in the 2016 carcase competition the Pratt family have stepped up to the plate and kindly offered the competition their property for a five week backgrounding phase.”

Entries in the 2017 Gympie Carcase Classic close this Friday February 17.

“Although slightly shorter than the committee had originally hoped, the five week backgrounding will allow all induction treatments to take hold and cattle to familiarise themselves, plus settle as a herd before entering the feedlot,” Ms Power said.

“This does mean that there have been changes to the 2017 induction and feedlot start dates.”

Induction of carcase competition cattle will be at Woolooga Saleyards on March 21 and then all livestock will be transported to Cheshire’s Feedlot at Windera on April 26.

“The committee have agreed that in order to ensure animal performance with the shortened backgrounding period, the time in the feedlot will be extended from 77 days to a total of 85 days,” Ms Power said.

“The backgrounding phase was deemed a great success last year, and we are extraordinarily happily we will be able to offer it again this year.”

Ms Power added that the backgrounding property is within the cattle tick zone.

“Entries will be given a Cydectin booster before 28 days to ensure clean cattle are not at any risk,” she said.

“Cattle will be given Cydectin at induction and be dipped before leaving Woolooga Saleyards.”