FIVE years after its inception and the Glen Innes Potential Show Steer Sale is going strong, with a quality selection of steer entries and buyers turning out to the Glen Innes saleyards last week.
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Seventeen registered buyers competed for the 24 steers offered, achieving a 100 per cent clearance with a sale top of $1354.50 (430 cents a kilogram) and an average of $791.24 (278c/kg).
The sale was an opportunity to buy upcoming show steers and continue their progress in the show ring.
The top bid of 450c/kg was reached for a 255kg Limousin/Angus steer exhibited by Neale and Helen Smith, Glen Innes.
However, it was the champion steer - a Limousin/Limousin-Angus - that returned the most dollars per head for the sale.
The champion was exhibited by Col McGilchrist, Wallabadah, which attracted a 430c/kg bid from Keith Wilcox, Tenterfield, to return $1354.50 to the vendors and $500 prizemoney.
The 315kg steer impressed judge, Deb Snaith, McIntyre High School, Inverell.
"This steer shows the most potential for the show ring and on the hook, he is true to type with a long broad topline and great softness," Ms Snaith said.
Mr Wilcox, who purchased a steer from this sale last year that went on to become reserve champion junior steer at the Ekka, was just as impressed with this steer.
"He's a very good shaped steer and is at the right stage of condition," said Mr Wilcox, who is now looking forward to preparing the steer with his son John for Brisbane.
Reserve champion steer was an entry from Gary and Sandy Morgan, "Coolibah", Guyra.
Scots PGA College, Warwick, Queensland, purchased the 400kg Simmental steer for $1200 (300c/kg).
Two local studs, Lotus Herefords and Dulverton Angus, offered $500 bull credits to exhibitors of the best Hereford-infused steer and best Angus-infused steer.
The Sloman family, "Dunvegan", Dundee, collected the Hereford prize, while the Smith family, Glen Innes, took home the Angus prize.
This year, 11 high schools registered, with Coonamble High School purchasing seven steers topping at $997.50 (350c/kg) and averaging $750.60 (272c/kg).
Half a tonne of Riverina Stock feed was awarded to Coonamble High School as volume buyers.
Sale co-ordinator Nathan Purvis, Colin Say and Company, Glen Innes, was happy with the results.
"The support from high schools and show steer buyers is continuing to build - we've had steers go on from this sale to succeed at royal and local shows," Mr Purvis said.
"We look forward to watching the success of this years draft."
The sale was conducted by Colin Say and Company with Shad Bailey collecting the bids.
