FOR Wilga Feedlot owners Ian and Louise MacCue, the RAS Sydney Royal Beef Challenge validates the decisions they make in the business each day.
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The MacCues entered cattle that had been purchased for the feedlot, and use the competition as a way to compare cattle from their suppliers.
”We’ve got a lot of information from 20 years of lotfeeding on which vendors we want to keep supplying us, but the challenge gives us their performance, but their carcase information and taste testing,” Mr MacCue said.
Pure Angus steers from Moree breeder Glen Humphries took out the bronze medal in the taste testing award.
“We've bought his Angus cattle for many years and it’s very gratifying to know the cattle you're buying and supplying to Coles each week are up there with the best of them.”
The MacCues also entered Santa Gertrudic/Hereford-cross cattle from regular suppliers John, Jim and Jamie Smith from Casino.
“They did quite well in the profitability side and feedlot performance with their daily weight gains,” Mr MacCue said.
“The whole concept is just to let people benchmark their cattle against other cattle, and we use the results to back up the decisions we're making in the feedlot.”
Ruth Schwager
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
