More than 5000 bulls from about 200 studs, representing a full range of British and European breeds, will be on display during Stock & Land Beef Week, which runs from 26 January to 3 February throughout Victoria and the Riverina.
Many of the studs open during Beef Week will conduct on-property bull auctions during the busy autumn bull selling season. These annual sales have catalogued 2500 bulls and will all be on display for potential buyers to inspect during Beef Week.
We expect these studs will display 5000 bulls and will sell them for about $35 million at annual on-property bull sales during February and March.
The studs that do not have on-property sales will offer bulls during Beef Week and will also have on display bulls catalogued for the big multi-vendor national sales coming up at Wodonga and Dubbo later in the year. We estimate another 2500 bulls will be cleared by these studs.
Stock & Land Beef Week is the biggest event of its type in Australia and showcases the nation's leading beef genetics, particularly in the British and European breeds. Entry to properties is free.
The two best represented breeds are Herefords and Poll Herefords with 55 studs, and Angus with 42. The next most represented breed is Limousin with 16 studs on display, followed by Simmental with 12 and Charolais with nine.
The variety of breeds and genetics available in south-east Australia is on full display and there are genetics and breeds to suit every purpose.
There are long established breeds such as Shorthorn, Murray Grey, South Devon, Blonde d’Aquitaine and Belted Galloway, while some of the newer breeds to Australia, such as Speckle Park and Speckline, are certain to create interest. There are also lesser known breeds on display such as Australis, Senegus, Simangus and Twinners.
All breeds have a contribution to make to the beef industry depending on target markets and environment in which they need to operate.
Stud breeders will be on hand at host properties to explain the attributes of the various breeds and advise and discuss the needs of stud and commercial producers.
Livestock agents and breed society staff use beef Week to visit clients and members to gain first hand knowledge of the latest industry trends .
Beef Week opens for nine days from Saturday, 26 January in north-east Victoria until Sunday, 3 February, where it concludes in the Western District.
The RASV Heifer Challenge conducted in conjunction with Beef Week has attracted 35 entries with studs displaying 10 heifers from their 2017 drop that will be replacements in their registered breeding herd.
- For more information go to www.stockandland.com.au
