IN JUST two years in the RAS Beef Challenge, Angus cattle from “Toorawandi”, Coonabarabran, have proven themselves in both domestic and export categories.
Ambrose and Lisa Doolan and their son Mick first entered cattle last year, taking out reserve champion team and first in profitability in the domestic challenge. This year they took out the same awards in the export section, and their cattle were also second in the daily weight gain.
“We focus on growth and producing something people want to eat,” Ambrose Doolan said.
“We like to select for growth and carcase quality, with good rib and rump fat, as well as maternal traits.”
The commercial producers entered the competition to get detailed feedback on their cattle.
”It’s a good way for us to see how we stack up against other producers and we the feedback for how well they perform in the feedlot, as well as their carcase quality and eating quality,” Mr Doolan said.
The Doolans have ramped up production in the past few years, running 1400 Angus breeders over 3650 hectares and targeting the feedlot market with both steers and heifers.
“The feedlots are taking a few more heifers now, but we proved last year that heifers can perform in the feedlots.
“Our heifers did really well last year, but the steers were better this time.”
