Bungeeltap earns three in the top 10

Coming in at third, fifth and seventh overall, the Robertsons' steers scored particularly well in the feedlot performance category finishing second, third and fourth.

The three lots of Bungeeltap steers all had different breeding with one team of straight Angus, one of Angus/Blue E (Angus/Shorthorn) and one of Angus/Simmental.

The Angus team of five was awarded third place from the 120 teams entered from three States with a score of 821 out of the 1000 points on offer.

Nearby producer and this year's grand champion winner John Dettmann encouraged the Robertsons to be involved in the trial - the biggest of its kind in Australia - and enter steers in the 112-day feed program at the Teys Australia Jindalee Feedlot, Temora.

Mrs Robertson said before entering the feedback trial they were finding it difficult to get information on what they were producing.

"The geographical distribution of entrants, from Victoria, NSW and Queensland, speaks a lot to the quality of the competition and the results it provides to those entering," she said.

"It is also impressive that so many people are prepared to put their name to their produce and lay it all on the table for everyone to see - that takes courage."

When purchasing their current property in 2001, the Robertsons also acquired the Lawson-blood Angus cow herd that was on the farm and have now grown that to 600 head of breeders.

While the Robertsons use Coolana Angus bulls to produce replacement heifers and pure Angus offspring, Coota Park Blue-E and Wombra-murra Simmental bulls have been utilised on-farm for the past three years to create hybrid vigour in their steers.

The outstanding feedlot performance, topped by the Angus/Blue E steers finishing in second place, was one of the highlights for Mrs Robertson.

"The consistency of the cattle was really pleasing - that's what we are aiming for: good quality and a consistent product," she said.

"We can also compare this year with last year's results and see what we can ascertain from that to continue doing what we are doing."

Their five Angus/Blue E steers that ranked second in feedlot performance all received full points for average daily weight gain, putting on 2.69 to 3 kilograms and achieved a collective team feedlot performance score of 335 out of 350.

With a score of 330 for feed- lot performance, the Robert- sons' Angus/Simmental team was placed just behind their siblings with average weight gains of 2.42 to 2.77kg/day.

They received no animal health treatment deductions.

Mrs Robertson said placing second in the Certified Australian Angus Beef (CAAB) champion pen category and third overall with their straight Angus team also cemented their belief in their Angus herd.

The five Angus steers received full points of 100 on feedlot entry, 325 from 350 for feedlot performance and 396 from a possible 550 for carcase, with four of the five animals classifying for both CAAB and Riverine Premium beef.