Having entered the Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial since its inception, Forbes producers Lex and Sally Crosby hit their strides this year, taking home reserve champion for carcase performance.
Entering four teams consisting of two Angus and two Angus x Charolais pens, the trial has consistently been used by the Crosby’s, “Cherry Tree Hill”, as a benchmark for their progeny which are destined for the export feedlot market.
Currently phasing out Charolais genetics because Angus cattle have become a consistently saleable breed, Lex Crosby said his former position as Hannan Livestock, general manager, allowed him to build their stud, Crosby’s Angus, on a few simple breeding objectives which without doubt helped them to the heights at the feedback trial.
“While working for the Japanese, I found that although Angus cattle were suppose to be marbling, this wasn’t the case, very few were, so when I began the stud which flows into the commercial operation, I concentrated on marbling and growth – I wanted to produce a fast growing, good framed steer for the feedlot to feed out for the Japanese market,” Mr Crosby said.
“I make sure I am selecting Estimated Breeding Values for intramuscular fat (IMF) and growth - that’s why it was very satisfying for us to do well this year; we are breeding for carcase and the feedback was our cattle marbled well,” he said.
Both Angus teams out performed the crossbred entrants, with both Angus pens in the top 10 for carcase performance. The reserve champion pen tallied 386.5 points out of a possible 550, only a whisper behind the top performer.
“I think the consistency of the pens was the difference for us this year – we have found over the years that we will have four quality steers and then one will let the team down a bit – but this year they were even across the board,” Mr Crosby said.
“We have learnt over time at the trial, that the objectives we have got in our herd are working – it shows we are becoming successful at what we are trying to do – and that goes back to the bull breeding – by using our own bulls to produce the trial cattle, we can see how they are performing and compare this against other cattle,” he said.
Yard weaned cattle a big focus at Forbes
Working closely with cattle all his life has taught Lex Crosby, “Cherry Tree Hill”, Forbes, a thing or two about how to produce quiet and productive cattle.
Operating an Angus x Charolais and straight Angus commercial cattle enterprise of 130 cows along side a stud operation of 150 Angus breeders, Mr Crosby said his background in buying cattle and feedlotting has shown him the benefits of one management tool in particular - yard weaning.
Calving in July to August and weaning progeny at four to five months old or in a good season at nine months old, Mr Crosby said he is a huge advocate for yard weaning practices.
“When I was at the feedlot with Hannan Livestock the quietest cattle were always yard weaned – I think it’s a way of settling them down and also learning to trust people to work with them as well,” he said.
