GETTING feedback on the performance of his cattle has always been the driving force behind the production aim for Jason Hall, who manages the 526 hectare “Bolobek”, Macedon for Bungeeltap Pty Ltd.
Mr Hall had previously managed a cattle breeding operation in Tasmania, and he used to send questionnaires to the purchasers of his weaners to see how they performed on grass.
A team had been entered by Bungeeltap two years ago and Mr Hall was interested in continuing this for the feedback it provided.
So when he assumed the management of the Angus herd at “Bolobek”, it was natural for him to enter a team in the Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial.
“We entered as a matter of interest to see how our genetic direction fits with the demand for prime beef,” he said.
“We are buying expensive bulls and we wanted to follow the progeny through the feedlots to assess their performance.”
Mr Hall acknowledged there are alternative markets to feedlots, but he has received excellent feedback on the performance of his steers during the feedlot trial.
Bungeeltap entered three teams this year, with two teams straight Angus, and the third team Angus/Shorthorn cross.
One of the pure Angus teams was placed ninth overall and took the Tey’s Certified Premium Black Angus Champion pen.
“We were pleasantly surprised to take the Teys Championship and ninth overall,” Mr Hall said.
“It comes back to knowing where your breeding program fits in comparison to your peers in this particular trial.”
The Angus herd at “Bolobek” is based on Ythanbrae-blood cows purchased with the property and the steers in the trial are the progeny of sires purchased from the Landfall, Anvil and Coolana Angus studs, and Coota park Blue E, Woodstock .
These results are encouraging, but Mr Hall is not complacent, continuing to ‘fine-tune’ his operation, and he is thinking about entering another team next year.
“It is all very beneficial, but it depends on how far you want to go,” he said.
“Personally, I would like to see something along similar lines based on grass-fed production because that will reflect the pasture feed conversion efficiency of your particular genetic direction.”
Mr Hall said there was a lot to be learned from the use of EBV’s.
“I’ve always believed genetics and pasture quality is the optimum means of turning grass into profit,” he said.
“It is about the evaluation of genetics in the production of elite beef, and using them to take us in the right direction.”
The ultimate aim for Mr Hall is to establish a reputation for the production of elite beef and build a rapport with processors.
“I’d like to see the Teys buyers come knocking on our door, saying we are happy with your product and can we organise some continuity of supply,” he said.