WANT a chance to see how your genetics measure up against other cattle from southern Australia both in the feedlot and in the chiller?

The organisers of the 2022 Southern Grainfed Carcase Classic are seeking expressions of interest from breeders and backgrounders keen to enter one or multiple teams.

The proposed delivery date for the teams of 10 steers is Monday, January 31 with the cattle to be fed at Teys Charlton feedlot in the Vic Mallee for 100 to 120 days.

Teys Australia will purchase all the cattle on feedlot entry with the price being offered available closer to the date.

SGCC chairman Ben Glatz said the committee had made only one change to the 2021 criteria, extending the minimum entry weight from 360 kilograms down to 340kg,  making it easier for autumn and winter 2021 drop weaners as well as spring 2020 drops to meet the specifications.

The weight cut off on the upper end remains at 500kg.

“With cattle producers lapping up the current uncharted returns for their beef, there is no better time to reward your cattle business with industry-relevant feedback,” he said.

“This competition fills the performance and feedback gaps that are rarely available from one platform.”

Points will be allocated to each team based on the feedlot performance of the steers, including weight gains and feedlot health, as well as carcase quality.

“Opportunities for entrants to inspect their cattle in the feedlot approaching the end of the feeding period along with extensive carcase feedback will allow entrants to make economically driven decisions to enhance their business,” Mr Glatz said.

He said the grainfed trial – which was now in its third year –  had been a natural progression to complement the long-running, successful grassfed competition.

So far 1000 cattle from SA and Vic have been processed at Teys Australia’s Naracoorte abattoir since late September in the 2021/2022 Southern Grassfed Carcase Classic.

This high tally ensures the competition- which attracted 1356 carcases in 2020-2021- is well on track to maintain its status as the nation’s largest annual event of its kind. Entries for this grassfed competition close in late February 2022.

Both competitions are also a great fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service with one percent of all sale proceeds going to the worthy cause. 

To register your interest for the Southern Grainfed Carcase Classic contact Teys’ Naracoorte livestock manager David Woolard 0418 832 045 or SGCC chairman Ben Glatz  0407 712 455 before Friday, January 7.