THE 2021 Sydney Royal Easter Show looms as a new dawn for the Speckle Park breed in Australia
When the 2020 show opens in a few weeks, Speckle Park will be the fourth largest breed based on entries and breeders are rejoicing in its recognition.
But the following year Speckle Park will take centre stage as the Feature Breed of the 2021 Sydney Royal as they celebrate a 14th year in Australia.
2021 Feature Show and World Congress committee chairman Paul Long said the Speckle Park breed had featured at other Royal Shows across Australia but this would be a ground breaker at the Sydney Royal.
"As for most breeds, the Sydney Royal Show is the pinnacle," Mr Long said.
"It is great to see so many Speckle Park studs going to the effort to prepare and exhibit their animals to help promote the breed. The Speckle Park International board and its members are excited about being able to showcase the breed to the cattle industry and all visitors to Sydney Royal in 2021."
Mr Long said officials were some distance away from finalising plans for the 2021 show but "some fairly aggressive targets" had been set.
"The committees working on this event have set some fairly aggressive targets with regards participation and numbers," he said.
"As a guide we are anticipating in excess of 175 stud animals to be shown and in excess of 50 purebred and trade steers to be entered for competition.
"We have had an overwhelming response by SPI members and in addition to the seedstock classes, we will also have more than $10,000 up for grabs for Speckle Park purebred and crossbred show steers - split equally among the regular RAS steer classes and a special Speckle Park Feature Class."
Mr Long said showgoers should not consider the striking colours of the Speckle Park to be their only outstanding trait.
"It's what's underneath that really counts," he said.
"They are early maturing, highly efficient, have great temperaments, and are easy-doing.
They yield well, dressing in the early 60% range in a first-cross, and the meat is high marbling, soft and juicy. Restaurant chefs and butchers are really excited about the breed."
The public exhibition the breed will be the ideal seque to a World Congress for the breed. An organising committee is working on a schedule and hope the congress will open on March 24, 2021, with a meet and greet type cocktail event before cattle showing, judging, competitions, sale and dinner.