Australia’s Beef Bull Supermarket

Over 5000 bulls from close to 200 studs representing a full range of British and European breeds will be on display during Stock & Land Beef Week which runs from January 26 to February 3 throughout Victoria and the Riverina.

“We expect these studs will display 5000 bulls and will sell them for $35 million during Beef Week and at annual on-property bull sales during February and March”, according to Beef Week director Geoff Phillips.

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 these will all be on display for potential buyers to inspect during Beef Week.

“The studs in Beef Week that do not have onproperty 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,” said Mr Phillips.

Stock and 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 numerous breed is Limousin with 16 studs 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 envi-ronment in which they need to operate”, said Mr Phillips.

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 on Saturday, January 26 in north-east Victoria and progresses through nine days until it concludes in Victoria’s Western District on Day 9, Sunday, February 3.

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. These entries will be on display on their Beef Week day. The champion pen of 10 carries a $3000 cash prize and the reserve receives $1500.

Further information is on the Beef Week and Stock & Land websites. The 100 page Beef Week book with maps, directions and details of each stud will be at each of the participating studs on their Beef Week day.