Are shows still relevant?

Sean Kallady is a livestock buyer at Greenham, and said more than ever, producers are demanding feedback about the animals they have sent to slaughter.

For many years, Mr Kallady has also spent time at shows, as judge and exhibitor, this year judging the Red Angus breed at the Melbourne Show, and said it’s these figures, and other figures that are attainable while an animal is still alive, that deserve more of a place in the showring.

And he said carcase competitions was where he saw the most potential.

“I’d say seedstock competitions are dropping off a little bit, whereas carcase competitions, which are a completely different ball game, are becoming more and more popular,” he said.

“From when I started to now, the technology that’s come out is so advanced, and we need to embrace that.

“If we can get more technology into these competitions, we’ll start to see better quality animals come through.”

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He said showing is a costly extra-curricular activity, so stud breeders need to ensure they are getting their money’s worth.

“At least with steer competitions, you’ll either break even or get a higher price than your entry fee when you sell the animal,” he said.

But he said promotion of the breed and stud often made the process valuable.

“The good thing about shows is people get together and they’re thinking and talking, especially young people – it’s good for the industry,” he said.

Teys livestock buyer and Phillips Cattle Company principal Jake Phillips, Naracoorte, SA, also judged at the Melbourne Show this year, and said there’s room for improvement in the showing industry, in order to benefit both stud and commercial breeders.

“There’s education at shows for the public, but in terms of education for exhibitors, around genetics or animal health, or marketing, or safety, shows don’t really offer any of that,” Mr Phillips said.

“And the amount of stud breeders that don’t understand where and what markets their commercial clients are selling their cattle to around the world, completely amazes me.

“At the end of the day, we’re producing a source of protein that feeds and nourishes billions of people around the world, and if you really want to be a true stud breeder, you should probably try and understand the process of paddock to plate.”

But he said one thing shows do really well was captivating and drawing in young people.

“The showring has become quite successful in attracting young people into the industry, and showcasing careers in ag,” he said.

But he said to maintain interest of young people, shows must adopt objective measurements in the competition.

“I’m a big advocate for using technology as a tool, and I think there’s potential for it to help grow the success of shows,” he said.

“Some of the subjective nature of judging may need to start including some objective measurements, not only just weights, but lean meat yield, eating quality, as well as other genetic data.

“They’re all at the forefront of commercial breeders’ minds, so why wouldn’t we start to include them?”

Without this, he said the divide between people that show and the commercial industry would widen.

“I think commercial breeders can often be wary of shows, it’s a bit of a false environment with feeding and preparing them, but certainly, commercial guys still have their eyes on the results,” he said.

“The challenge really is for show societies to keep building on the success they’re having with young people, in order to maintain interest of the commercial industry.”