The move into the feeder market among Central Highlands producers over recent years is part of the reason for the big boost in entries in Alpha’s prime steer competition.
Sean Dillon had his work cut out organising the penning and judging of 140 fat cattle and 206 store cattle for the Alpha show last week, and he said the opportunity it gave growers to develop their beef awareness was contributing to the section’s growing popularity.
“It offers a lot of elements and is growing in prestige,” he said. “It helps understand feed-on traits, like not teething early, or putting weight on at the right time, which is important to know now they’ve transferred to that type of market.”
Last year there were 60 fat entries and 143 stores.
A Brahman cross entry from Mal Dyer, Pine Hill, east of Alpha, was judged the champion single steer for 2017, the supreme male of the show and the most outstanding exhibit.
He said his cattle had Simmental and Charolais influences, which accounted for their extra bone and structure, and similar crosses were what he’d continue to do.
He also won first place in the pen of 10 Jap ox steers section.
The Burnett Group at Jo Jo, Alpha, showed the champion pen of steers, two-year-old Braford Simmental cross with a “dash of Brahman” thrown in, according to manager Gavin Vallis.
He said it had been pleasing to be in the winner’s circle again and good to support the show.
At the sale the following day, single steers topped at $2060 while pens of steers topped at $2040 a head.
The feeder cattle entered were judged on visual appraisal and have now been sent to the Duaringa Station feedlot for 100 days where daily weight gain per mob statistics will be added, along with carcase assessment and a taste test.
Sean said the competition would be finalised at Alpha in mid-October.
Lawrence and Pat Hack, Rocklea, Alpha had the champion pen of cows with their Limousin cross females, and the supreme female exhibit, while Colin and Sherilee Hoch, Westwood, showed the champion single female, a Brahman/Charolais cross.
Single heifers topped at $1650 in the sale, and pens of females hit a top of $1740.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
