A DRY season followed by imminent rain has led to fewer visitors to studs during this year’s Central West Beef Week.
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The annual event, which involved 18 studs across the region opening their gates for visitors to view their stud stock, had mixed success after a dry autumn caused some cattle producers to hesitate in purchasing breeding stock.
Some studs reported less visitors because “they were on tractors” sowing winter crops before the rain hit, while other studs found visitor numbers to be on par and even above previous years.
Central West Beef Week chairman Wayne Petrie, Javid Square Meaters, Orange, showed his support for the on-farm concept.
“We definitely had a lot of surprise success for studs at this years event,” Mr Petrie said. “I was not expecting high visitation numbers given the season we are having, but we had a very positive outcome. “It’s a great way to view cattle in a herd environment instead of a show ring - you see the natural abilities of the animals.”
With Javid Square Meaters attracting more than 16 visitors, Mr Petrie said reaching that number was the result of participating for a few years.
It was a positive experience for Tim and Kelli Johnston from Annandale Red Angus stud at Cargo, who had around 20 visitors for their first time in the event.
Mr Johnston, who began his stud in 2010 with primarily Tullatoola genetics and now encompasses 22 cattle families, said he sold two bulls on the day.
Mr Johnston said it was a tricky time for the event given the predicted rain.
“Given the timing, there were people more interested in being on a tractor,” he said.
Mr Johnston said despite the dry season leading up the event, his Red Angus cattle continue to sell well.
“We don’t have any trouble selling commercial cattle,” he said.
It was the same story for first-time exhibitors Dalwhinnie Angus, Lucknow, who sold multiple stud females and heifers.
Stud principal Dean Fredericksen and son Taine displayed 70 head of cattle including 14 yearling bulls and 10 females.
Sired by Millah Murrah, Hercules H250, EF Compliment and Karoo Generator, Mr Fredericksen said the open day was an opportunity to showcase the strong genetics in his growing herd.
“Today was important for us to showcase our animals to potential new clients and show our existing clients the continuing quality we are breeding,” Mr Fredericksen said.
“We are really pleased with the steady stream of visitors we have had all day to show our cattle to.
“We had potential clients travel from as far as Mudgee to have a look around.”
