Hereford infused steers were rewarded for their outstanding average daily gain and health performance winning the champion feedlot pen in the 2024 NSW Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial.
A team of five black baldy steers entered by Bill Garnock, Boco Pastoral, Nimmitabel, scored 315 points to place first in the feedlot phase and third overall from 91 teams with a score of 790 points.
HGP-free and Bovilis MH + IBR vaccinated steers were entered from the eastern states, as far south as Gippsland and as far north as Condamine, Queensland, with 16 breeds represented.
The Boco Pastoral team scored a maximum of 100 points in the feedlot entry which was judged on induction weight, rump fat, frame score, dentition, NVD completion accuracy, pre-feedlot vaccination with Bovilis MH + IBR.
In the feedlot, the team had average daily gain ranging from 2.2 to 2.76kg, ranking them first out of 91 teams. The average daily gain for the trial was 1.95kg.
In the carcase assessment, the team’s top dressing percentage was 53.3, eye muscle area of 87sqcm, AUS-MEAT marble scores of 1, 2 and 3, and MSA indexes of 60.89 to 65.14 to give an overall team profit of $776.57 compared to the average of all trial teams (average adjusted to zero). The average MSA Index for the trial was 62.2 and average AUS-MEAT marble score of 1.5.
The second team of Boco Pastoral’s black baldies had average daily gain in the feedlot of 2.09-2.41kg and graded up to AUS-MEAT marble score 2 in the carcase assessment and had a top MSA index of 63.29.
In the feedlot phase, all teams were assessed on their final weight, average daily gain and number of health treatments with points deducted for health treatments due to sickness. All cattle were required to be vaccinated with Bovilis MH + IBR pre-entry to reduce the incidence of bovine respiratory infections.
Among the purebred Hereford entries, Cheviot Hills Ag, Big Springs, NSW, had average daily gain to 2.41kg, a top dressing percentage of 57.7 and MSA index of 60.69-64.31 to place 41 of 91 teams. Llandillo Poll Herefords, The Lagoon, had average daily gain to 2kg, a lean meat yield to 59.7 per cent, and MSA indexes of 60.15–63.32. Their second team had average daily gain to 2.37kg, lean meat yield to 60.6 per cent and eye muscle area to 91sqcm while the third team had marble scores of 1 and 2, and MSA index to 63.60, to finish on 708 points or 38 of 91 teams.
A black baldy team entered by Tim Reid, Melon Pastoral, Roslyn, NSW, scored a maximum of 100 points for feedlot entry, being equal first from 91 teams, and had average daily gain from 1.71-2.32kg. The team’s MSA indexes ranged from 61.90 to 63.22 to give an overall team profit of $198.24, and overall ranking of 38 out of 91 teams on 708 points. A second team from Melon Pastoral had a team profit of $319.77 to rank them 40 from 91 teams.
Lindsay and Kate Carter, Dorrigo, NSW, had a team of black baldies which also scored 100 points for feedlot entry, had a top average daily gain of 2.06kg, three carcases achieved a AUS-MEAT marble score two, and the MSA indexes ranged from 59.19 to 64.31 to give them eighth place in the carcase assessment.
Their second team of black baldies had an average daily gain to 2.23kg, eye muscle area to 91sqcm, MSA indexes of 60.26 to 63.93, and overall placing of 34 out of 91 teams. The Carter’s team of Hereford/Angus/Shorthorn steers achieved an average daily gain to 2.07kg, an eye muscle area to 86sqcm, and AUS-MEAT marble scores of 1 and 2.
A black baldy team from James and Jacinda Douglas, Waverley Run, Big Springs, had a lean meat yield to 60.7 per cent, eye muscle area to 88sqcm, AUS-MEAT marble score 1 and 2, and MSA index to 62.64.
Herefords Australia chief executive officer Michael Crowley said there were many grass and grain fed market options available to Hereford and Hereford cross cattle and encouraged producers to get behind programs like Immune Ready, Meat Standards Australia, and European Union accreditation so producers can maximise their returns for their livestock by achieving market premiums.
The Immune Ready guidelines allow sellers to be recognised for producing cattle for feedlot entry and reducing the risk of disease reduced through appropriate vaccination.
Immune Ready recommends feeder steers and heifers are vaccinated for clostridial diseases, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) and Mannheima Haemolytica (MH). Vaccination for leptospirosis, pestivirus, botulism and pink eye are also recommended for production systems in particular areas.
The Immune Ready Guidelines also contain information on buying or selling stock with the Immune Ready logo, include resources on livestock vaccine handling and identification of clinical signs of infectious diseases.
For more information visit www.immuneready.net.au
Bill Garnock, Boco Pastoral, Nimmitabel
