CATTLE breeders across three states have again placed a big emphasis on the performance of their cattle with 375 head entered for the 2017 Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial at Teys Australia’s Jindalee feedlot in Southern NSW.
Another strong entry base, saw steers travel from 1500 kilometres apart, with steers from southern Victoria set to compete with steers from as far north as Goondiwindi, Queensland, and a large representation from all breeding areas of NSW and northern Victoria.
The 75 teams that make up the 375 head trial came from 43 individual vendors and represent 17 different breeds and their crosses and were trucked across NSW and Victoria thanks to Shanahans Livestock Transport, Barnawatha, Vic.
The steers were inducted into Teys Australia’s Jindalee Feedlot, Stockinbingal on September 15 and are now on a 112 day feed ration, which will see them exit the feedlot around the start of January.
Trial coordinator Brett Tindal, Wagga Wagga, said they received large enquiry this year and the numbers could have been significantly greater if it wasn’t for the wonderful rain that had across the eastern states.
“The warmer than usual winter had seen cattle hit weights quicker this year and a large percentage of the cattle earmarked for the trail, blew the weights and were offloaded earlier and the average autumn in northern NSW at the start of the year had seen a large number of regular participants - including last years winners - offload their weaners young due to good prices,” he said.
“In saying that, 375 head still fills two pens at the feedlot and is one of the largest trials in the country, which is nothing to be sneezed at and will give the vendors and great cross section of feedback across the geographical areas and the spread of 17 different breeds and crosses.”
Mr Tindal said the trial was about education and feedback as much as it was for a title and a winner and therefore why the entry and induction process has set criteria around pre vaccination of Coopers animal health’s leading product Bovilis MH+ IBR and hitting the specifications for entry.
“The steers needed to enter between 320 and 460 kilograms, be milk-teeth, three to 10 millimetres of fat at the P8 site, frame score of four to six, with an aim to finish the trial at 370 to 400kg dressed,” he said.
Mr Tindal said the cattle will be assessed by independent assessor Jeff House, Jeff House Livestock, Forbes, and were scanned for fats on induction and will be judged on induction (10pc), feedlot performance (35pc) and meeting carcase specifications, which makes up 55pc of the assessment.
“The steers are all judged under the criteria of meeting Teys Australia’s three top brands, Teys Premium Black Angus, Riverine Premium and Teys Classic,” he said.
Trial analyst, Jeff House, said there was a good mix of both purebred and crossbred cattle represented.
“The steers had very similar entry weights to last year's trial with the live weights at induction ranging from 302kg to 486kg, with an average of 400kg,” Mr House said.
He said, compliance to entry specifications was very high with 95pc of the cattle within the 320 to 460kg live weight range and also 95pc of the cattle scanning between three and 10mm of fat at the P8 site.
Teys Australia Jindalee Feedlot manager, Shane Bullock, Stockinbingal, said the cattle entered in the trial this year had settled very well onto feed.
“The vendors have determined there is importance in preparing their cattle for lot feeding and are now not only vaccinating their cattle, but are introducing them to feed and water in a bunk or trough at home so they hit the ground running when the trial starts,” he said.
Vendors will get the opportunity to view their steers at a mid-term field at the feedlot about 40 days out from exiting the feedlot and then a presentation night at the end of January for all the major awards and feedback to be announced.