A decision to buy The Land to keep up to date with all things agriculture landed Mudgee's Marion McInnes more than she bargained for when she was named the winner of The Land's pen of Santa steers competition.
Ms McInnes, who runs Dorper sheep, traveled to the Gunnedah saleyards on Tuesday to watch as the pen of six Yulgilbar steers were auctioned off by Elders Gunnedah.
The competition sees a lucky reader take home half the proceeds from the sale of a pen of steers with the other share donated to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
The two-tooth steers had been on feed for 105 days and were purchased by Coles for 383c/kg and averaged 633 kilograms to return $2426/head for a total pen value of $14,561 (excluding GST).
First-time entrant Ms McInnes thought somebody was playing a trick when she received the call to announce her success.
She said it had come as a pleasant surprise.
"My son wants to buy a property so I try and keep up with what I can and buy The Land," she said.
The competition is supported by the NSW Santa Gertrudis Sales Groups, Elders Gunnedah, Wilga Feedlot and Martin Transport.