FOR Western Australias Selga and Steve Beckwith, who are relative newcomers to the world of cattle breeding, the long trip east to watch the Angus judging at this years Sydney Royal was both inspiring and eye-opening.
The couple, who are breeding Angus at Beermullah near Gingin, to produce lines of mated heifers along with bull calves for live export, were the winners of this years ten Angus heifers, a competition run by Fairfax Medias Farm Weekly and the WA Angus society.
Along with heifers from Richard and Robyn Walkers Coonac Angus at Wilga, the win landed them a three-day trip to the Sydney Royal.
Their commercial herd of Angus is a sideline to horticulture interests, with Mr Beckwith the state manager for the WA division of Costa Berries.
We started with Murray Greys but saw how well Angus cattle were performing in country north of Perth - they have the hardiness combined with top of the line eating quality, Mr Beckwith said.
Of their time spent in the Sydney Angus ring, the Beckwiths said the the quality of the cattle on show was fantastic and the numbers at that high quality incredible.
"The judge has had a very hard job, he said.
"This a very big pavilion and Angus judging is taking up half of it.
"That sort of thing really gives you confidence in the future of the breed."
Shan Goodwin
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
