THE 2020 NSW Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial has defied the harsh conditions seen across the state this year with its third highest number of cattle entered in its history.
The trial has been running for 11 years and has again attracted exhibitors from as far north as Bingara and Dorrigo in the north, down to Mortlake in Victoria, with a large percentage coming from southern NSW that are having a slightly better season in places.
A total of 435 head of cattle have been entered from 46 individual vendors.
Feedback trial coordinator Brett Tindal said it was interesting to see this year that 28 vendors were regular return entrants every year, however six of the vendors were past exhibitors that have had a few years off but have chosen to again be part of the trial.
The balance is made up new entrants for the first time this year.
Mr Tindal said that there was a great cross section of cattle this year, with both purebred and crossbred teams in the mix.
Angus make up a large portion of entries with 28 of the 87 teams straight Angus, while a further 18 where Angus cross. Herefords are represented by 16 teams of purebred or Hereford infused lines, and 11 teams are Charolais cross.
There is also a good representation from Speckle Park, Blue E, Australian Beef Composites, Limousin, Red Angus and Shorthorn.
The steers were collected from central locations by Shanahans Livestock Transport in the coming weeks, and they will enter Teys Australia's Jindalee Feedlot at the end of August.
They have settled into a 112 day feed regime, before a field day mid October for vendors to view their progress is hosted at Jindalee before they are processed mid December.
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The culmination of results will take place at an awards presentation dinner at the end of January 2020.
Mr Tindal said the committee where set to change the presentation dinner up this year with the introduction of Meat and Livestock Australia corporate chef Sam Bourke entertaining the attendees with an insight into red meat preparation during an onstage cooking and preparation display.