Look out for big hats, there will be lots of cattlemen in Katherine over the next two days.
Meat and Livestock Australia is holding a BeefUp Day at the DPIR Katherine Research Station today.
And three local Brahman studs will be selling a combined 200 bulls in one of the NT’s biggest annual bull sales in Katherine tomorrow.
Three Brahman studs, Raglan, Olive and Viva, will be selling a combined 200 bulls at the 18th annual Ponderosa sale.
The sale begins at 9am at the Katherine DPI and F. yards off the Stuart Highway.
Today’s BeefUp day is hosted by the Katherine Producer Industry Advisory Committee, part of the North Australia Beef Research Council.
The economics of feeding cattle to meet sale weights and tips to lift the performance of breeding herds in the NT will be among the topics discussed.
It is one of a series of MLA producer forums designed to update producers on the latest regionally-relevant cattle research and development and provide producers with information and tools they can use in their businesses.
Beef producer and KPIAC chair, Jay Mohr-Bell, Mathison Station, said the day was an ideal opportunity for producers to hear about topics specific to the region.
“The industry in our region is experiencing a good time at the moment, with healthy prices and a good season,” he said.
“The topics that are going to be covered at the BeefUp forum are relevant and aimed to assist producers to make the most of current opportunities.”
Other presenters to feature today include:
- John Bertram, Breeding and genetics specialist – Lifting the performance of breeding herds
- Rebecca Mohr-Bell, ArGyll Consulting – ‘Feed, sell or hold’ – Economics of feeding to meet sale weights
- Jodie Ward, DPIR research update
- Martin Pentecost, Director of Powers Agribusiness and Finance – Building my beef business – How to make the decisions
- Jarrod Lees, Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Operations and a representative from AACo Livingstone Beef – Beef up your business in the market place
Meanwhile, the Ponderosa sale will be expecting another complete clearance given the optimistic mood in the beef industry and on previous sales.
At last year’s 17th annual sale there was a 100 per cent clearance with 227 head selling to an average $3863 and grossing $876,900
A top price of $10,250 was paid for a bull.
Buyers generally travel from all over Australia to attend.