The Victorian Region of the Australian Red Poll Cattle Breeders Inc. is hosting
an "On Farm Challenge" December 3-5. There are eight participating herds that
are spread out over Victoria from Stoneyford, Gellibrand, Terang in the west
to Ballarat, Colbinabbin, Pheasant Creek and in the east - Lang Lang and Won Wron.
The aims of this event include the engagement of breeders from all over the State,
both commercial and stud, to provide assistance to breeders by communication with
an expert in livestock assessment on the hoof with a view to better selection of
stock on the basis of structure, fertility and market needs.
The Judge for the event was Mr Grame Hopf of Murwillumbah, NSW.
Mr Hopf has a distinguished career in the Cattle Industry.
He has been involved in breeding large beef herds, in assessment of dairy and
beef herds in Australia and Internationally, and has judged at many Royal Shows
in Australia. He uses a points scoring system for each animal assessed which provides
an objective basis for the task at hand. He also gives valuable advice to breeders
on the projected future of animals assessed, and is extremely talented in these matters.
On Saturday, 6th December, at the Staff's residence at Pheasant Creek, the results
of Mr Hopf's assessments were summarised and winners of each of the classes were
announced and presented with certificates and prizes.
The awards went to
RED POLL ON FARM CHALLENGE - December 2008
Class 1: Heifer 9-16 months
1ST - Lesley Johns - Rhyd-Talog Ophelia LMJ 358
2nd - Don Castle - Koallah Park Susan BC 023
3rd - Sam Henson - Red Hot Polls CTH 115
Class 2: Heifer 16-24 months
1st - Paul & Judith McAninly PJM 710
2nd - Ian & Nell Staff - Sophronites Cara NIS 115
3rd - Ian & Nell Staff - Sophronites Daphne NIS 119
Class 3: Cow 2-5 years
1st - Ian & Nell Staff - Sophronites Sapphire NIS 082
2nd - Lesley Johns - Rhyd-Talog Olga LMJ 280
3rd - Sam Henson - Red Hot Crystal CTH 082
Class 4: Cow 5 years over
1st - Ian & Nell Staff- Sophronites Cindy NIS 011
2nd - Sam Henson - Red Hot Philis CTH 027
3rd - Greg Abbott - Turanga Buccaneers Ann EMA 175
4th - Ian & Nell Staff - Sophronites Pamela NIS 055
Class 5: Bull 9-16 months
1ST - Greg Abbott - Turanga Koallah Hero EMA 230
2nd - Ian & Nell Staff - Sophronites Google NIS 128
3rd - D & S McAlinden - Rua Mor RMS 158
Class 6: Bull 16-24 months
1ST - Don Castle - Koallah Park Dean DBC 055
Class 7: Bull 2-5 years
1ST - Lesley Johns - Rhyd-Talog Belafonte LMJ 297
2nd - Mark Harris - Ketlang Monarch KET 761
Class 9: Pair of Steers
1ST - Greg Abbott - Turanga
2nd - Mark Harris - Ketlang
Class 10: Sires Progeny Pair
1ST - Don Castle - Koallah Park by Raedean Sinatra
2nd - Greg Abbott - Turanga by Koallah Park Red Power
3rd - Ian & Nell Staff - Sophronites by Sophronites Nimrod
Champion Male: Lesley Johns - Rhyd-Talog Belafonte
(Colbinabbin)
Champion Female: Ian & Nell Staff - Sophronites Cindy
(Pheasant Creek)
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Sophronites Cindy - 11 year old cow that has had 9 calves Champion Female Red Poll On Farm Challenge 2008 (Scoring 92 Points by Judge Grame Hopf) owned by Nell & Ian Staff of Pheasant Creek |
Nell Staff (Owner & Breeder of Champion Female Sophronites Cindy) On left; Judge - Grame Hopf, Murwillumbah; Lesley Johns (Owner & Breeder of Champion Bull Rhyd-Talog Belafonte) on right. |
Rhyd Talog Belafonte |
When presenting the awards, Mr Hopf stated that he was very impressed by the quality of cattle he examined. There was a large number of very good and excellent animals assessed, and he was particularly surprised by the quality of older females seen in several of the herds. These animals, he said, should be targeted by the Red Poll Group, and mated to the best bulls we could find in order to conserve some of the genetics they represent. He was particularly impressed by some of the commercial herds, where they were very switched on to supply the market needs and presented some top animals for him to inspect. He stated that the Red Polls provide the most femininity amongst the British Breeds and along with their high fertility characteristics, they represent a boon to those who are interested in using them for cross breeding purposes.
The greatest numbers were entered in the young heifer classes, and several of these were assessed at the maximum point score he gives for heifers, and a high proportion were just under the maximum. The Champion Female was an eleven year old cow, Sophronites Cindy, that has had 9 calves, with a lovely eight month old calf at foot. She had an ideal head and body, with an excellent udder and legs and feet for such an age. He scored her 92 points , which is the highest for the competition and she would stand proud and high in a herd of any breed. She was exhibited by Nell and Ian Staff of Sophronites Stud at Pheasant Creek. The Champion bull was exhibited by Lesley and Alan Johns of Colbinabbin. He was a 35 month old bull, Rhyd-Talog Belafonte, who had great size and conformation and Mr Hopf suggested to the owners that they should collect his semen as soon as possible, so that his genetics could be spread throughout the breed and the industry expediently. Participants were very pleased with the whole even, and all said they had learnt so much about cattle assessment in a very short time, and were very grateful to Mr. Hopf.
Ian Staff
Secretary, Victorian Region
Australian Red Poll Cattle Breeders Inc.
Sophronites Cindy - 11 year old cow that has had 9 calves-
Champion Female Red Poll On Farm Challenge 2008
(Scoring 92 Points by Judge Grame Hopf) owned by Nell & Ian Staff of Pheasant Creek
Nell Staff (Owner & Breeder of Champion Female Sophronites Cindy) On left;
Judge - Grame Hopf, Murwillumbah;
Lesley Johns (Owner & Breeder of Champion Bull Rhyd-Talog Belafonte) on right.
2008 commenced with our Annual Red Poll & Maine Anjou Sale which was held on Saturday, 26th January on the Australia Day weekend.
A good crowd was in attendance although sale results were mixed. In the Red Polls there was about 50% clearance. Top priced bull was gained by Red Phoenix and Ketlang Stud sold the top priced female.
Lot 28 - Red Cactus Muscle Throne, topped the sale with a price of $7000. He was sold to Carabah Grazing Co of Tambo Queensland. Congratulations to vendor, Ross Draper.
Lot 26 - Red Cactus Glacier was sold for $3600 to Carabah Grazing Co.
Lot 27 - Glenrossal Achilles was sold for $3600 to Carabah Grazing Co.
The Red Poll breed also topped the Sale Breed Average with an average of $4733.
Twenty six Red Poll exhibitors put on a spectacular display of over 100 head of Red Poll cattle at the Canberra Royal Show this year.
Junior Champion female was awarded to Rhyd-Talog Olga exhibited by Lesley Johns, and Reserve junior champion to Glenrossal Beautiful Nat exhibited by Doug and Anne Smith.
Lynbarry Lustre exhibited by Daryl and Keith Johnson impressed the judges who awarded her Senior Champion and Grand Champion Red Poll female. Reserve senior champion female was awarded to Eurimbla Marta exhibited by Ian and Jill Coghlan.
Balla Balla Let It Go received the junior champion Red Poll bull award and Ross Draper's Red Cactus Firepace received the reserve junior champion bull award.
Balla Balla Bellamy was awarded senior champion bull and the reserve senior champion Red Poll bull award was given to Tranquility Marlon both exhibited by Judy and Steven Coles.
The entire Red Poll community was thrilled on Sunday morning when the judges anounced Balla Balla Bellamy as the Interbreed Supreme Champion Beef Breed Bull, and then placed Bellamy ahead of the Supreme Champion Beef Breed Female, an angus cow Underra Y3 to become the Champion of Champions of the 2007 Canberra Show.
Congratulations to Judy and Steven Coles of Pearcedale Victoria. Semen from Bellamy is available from Semex.
The Red Poll breed now seems to be getting the recognition it deserves, not only did we win supreme interbreed exhibit with Bellamy but also placed fifth in the interbreed competition with Lynbarry Lustre, against competition from the best animals of 21 breeds of beef cattle.
Congratulations to the Johnson family who exhibited the champion heavy domestic carcase at Royal Melbourne show. Sire: Lynbarry Superfluous, Dam: Lynbarry Annlex, 87.990 points.
Melissa Ball and Lisa Quiney, Red Poll junior members, attended the Weekly Times Cattle Handler's Camp at Geelong Show Grounds. The camp attracted 90 participants and was held from June 27th to 30th.
The handlers were divided into age groups Junior under 12 years, Intermediate 12 to under 18 years and Senior 18 years and over. Each age group was divided into sections depending on previous experience. There were novice competitors through to experienced competitors.
Each participant was able to bring his or her own animal or accept a ballot animal. Melissa borrowed Redward Finesse from David & Gay Ward's Redward Stud in Pearcedale. Finesse was an 11-month-old heifer already broken to halter and lead.
All the participants learned how to wash, groom and prepare their animal for the show ring and were lectured on the finer points of cattle handling and showing.
On Thursday there was a cattle show where the participants paraded their animals for prizes. Redward Finesse won her age group class but was beaten for Champion by an older Angus heifer.
Lisa led her own heifer, Red Cactus Robynara and was first in her class, Heifer 15 & under 20 months (12 in class). Red Cactus Ralady was 3rd in Heifer 20 & under 24 months with 10 animals in the class.
On Friday it was the handler classes. The juniors were divided onto four sections. Each junior winner competed for the title of Champion junior handler. In the Intermediate section, Melissa won her age group and was then named Champion Intermediate handler. Lisa was 2nd to Melissa in their initial Intermediate Class. There were 13 handlers in this class.
After the adult section the three Overall Champions went against each other and the Champion Dairy Handler. Melissa and Finesse won the Overall Champion of Champions and were presented with a lovely hand made halter and trophy by Ross Draper, the President of Stud Beef Victoria.
Melissa also won this competition with Redward Marsanne in 2004.
Well done Melissa and Lisa and thank you to Gay and David Ward, and Ross Draper for lending the beautiful Redward Finesse, Red Cactus Patrice and Red Cactus Ralady.
Buyers from Victoria, NSW, South Australia and New Zealand flocked to the Whittlesea Red Poll and Maine Anjou sale on Saturday January 28th, where bulls sold to $4900 and females to $4100.
The top-priced bull was the Red Poll Oakwood Prince George, which sold to Bill, Joan and Diane Corbett, of Cooeeyana Stud, Mangoplah, NSW. The vendor, RM Wilson and Son, of Oakwood Stud, Minlaton, South Australia, also sold a heifer for $1700.
The top-priced female was also a Red Poll. The vendor was Lesley and Alan Johns, of Rhud-Talog Stud, Elmore , Victoria and the buyer was the Martinvale Stud in New Zealand. Rhyd-Talog also sold another heifer for $1900 to Stephen and Judy Coles, of Balla Balla Stud, Pearcedale, Victoria.
Ross Draper of Red Cactus Red Poll Stud, Arthurs Creek, sold five females to $3100, with Frances and Robert Drysdale of Rollands Plains, NSW, paying $3100 and $1500 for their two picks. Other sellers of Red Polls included Red Phoenix stud of Tumbarumba, NSW; Shane Storm, Barham, NSW; and Ketlang stud of Lang Lang. Lynbarry Stud of Kinglake Central sold two bulls and the Raedean stud of Buln Buln sold one at $2600. There were 13 buyers of Red Polls.
In the Maine Anjou section of the catalogue, females sold to $3000 to Doug Hargrave, Dalwood Lodge, Yan Yean, who also paid $2900, $1850 and $1250 for females. The top Maine - Anjou bull price was $2100 for Glen-Yogi Owen (P) which sold to D. Pottie, Gunnedah, NSW. the sale was conducted via the Helmsman System, and grossed $59,600, a much higher result than last year.
Gary Rodda Stock and Land - 2nd Feb 2006
More details here
Once again our steers failed to catch the judges eye in the live judging, if our team of 3 pure bred steers had only been judged on the hook we would have been placed 1st.
This success backs up the success of our fellow South Australian breeders who were successful in taking out the Grand Champion Carcase and a win in the Domestic class both were pure bred steers also.
The Australian Red Poll Cattle Breeders, Victorian Region would like to thank Stephen and Judy Coles for opening their property, Balla Balla Red Poll Stud, Pearcedale, to us on Saturday 28th May.
About 35 people attended a very interesting field day which included sessions on Practical Cattle Handling, by Dr. Mike Harrison from the University of Melbourne Veterinary School, More Beef from Pastures, Dr. Ed Dunn, Mackinnon Project, University of Melbourne, and a presentation by Neil Henderson of Pfizer Animal Health.
Everyone had a great time and learned lots, we hope to have more educational sessions in the future.
Red Poll Breeders excelled at Exhibition Park in Canberra last week (February 25), winning ten of the twelve Broad Ribbons on offer. There were 30 entries in the competition, but only 10 from Victoria. David and Gay Ward of Redward Stud in Pakenham came away with the Junior Champion Red Poll Bull with Redward Weary, who was also awarded Grand Champion Red Poll Bull and Supreme Champion of the breed by judge Bill Dunlop of Molong, NSW. They also won the Junior Champion Red Poll Heifer Ribbon with Redward Harmony.
Nell and Ian Staff of Sophronites Stud from Pheasant Creek won Senior Champion
and Grand Champion Rep Poll Female with Sophronites Nicola,
while Ross Draper of REed Cactus Stud at Arthurs Creek won Senior Champion
Red Poll Bull with Red Cactus Pacer and Reserve Junior Champion with
Red Cactus Clara.
David and Gay Ward won the Breeders Group Broad Ribbon
while Nell and Ian Staff won the Sire's Progeny Group with offspring of
Sophronites Merlin.
Congratulations to Noel Gnaden and Annette Walker of Raedean Red Poll Stud, Buln Buln on winning supreme Interbreed at the Maffra Show on October 23rd with Raedean Bono.
The Australian Red Poll Cattle Breeders Inc. have appointed Annette Walker as the incoming Federal President. Annette becomes the first Female President of the organisation and has a long record of service to the breed behind her.
Annette and partner Noel Gnaden operate the highly successful Raedean stud at Buln Buln Victoria and are regularly seen promoting Red Poll around Australia.
2003 and 2004 will be looked back on for more than this with the historical amalgamation of the two Red Poll groups and the first Group BREEDPLAN analysis recently conducted.
At the recent Annual General meeting at Whittlesea Mark Harris was elected President of the Victorian Region of the Red Poll Cattle Breeders Inc. Mark has performed as Vice President for several years, and we welcome him to his new position.
Mark and wife Elke run the Ketlang Red Poll stud at Lang Lang, 85 kilometres south east of Melbourne.
The 8thAnnual Red Poll and South Devon Sale was held on
Saturday 8th May 2004, at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The top priced female and Red Poll was Red Cactus Minglint sold by Ross Draper to Peter Chilcott of South Molton Tasmania for $3750.
The top priced Red Poll Bull was Sophronites Good Knight sold by Nell and Ian Staff to Frank Mc. Cormack of Mansfield for $2000.
The senior champion bull sash was awarded to 34-month old Raedean Classic, shown by Annette Walker and Noel Gnaden, Raedean Stud, Buln Buln Victoria.
The 964kg bull, a son of Eurimbla Classic and grandson of M-M Hoosier Classic, topped the post show sale when Doug and Anne Smith, Glenrossal stud, Tarago, snapped him up for $10,000.
The Smiths have had considerable succes with another Raedean bull, Bosco, which sired the junior champion female, Glenrossal Ada Lady, and the champion sire's progeny group.
The judge Peter Croker, Bolong Hereford stud, Taralga, said the top animals were of a high standard.
Red Polls impressed the judges at the 119th Warragul & West Gippsland Show on March 5-6th.
There were 75 beef entries over the weekend, with the YGP Junior Classic (Interbreed) on Friday night. Reserve Junior Champion Bull was awarded to Raedean Caruso by judges Tania Guaran, Mel Ryan and Trevor Hatch.
On Saturday the judges once again had much praise for Red Polls in the interbreed competition with Mel Ryan, Geoff McInnes and Peter Schembri placing Raedean Caruso as the Junior Champion Interbreed Male, Raedean Classic Reserve Interbreed Senior Champion Male, and Reserve Interbreed Champion Group of 3 also going to Annette Walker & Noel Gnaden of Raedean Red Poll Stud, Buln Buln.
Congratulations to Alison Rae of Summer Brae Red Poll Stud, who won the Rural Ambassador competition recently at the Whittlesea Show.
The Rural Ambassador Award is conducted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Limited and Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd, and is open to entrants aged over 20 years and under 30 years.
The aims of the competition are:
Entrants are assessed on Communication Skills, Community Involvement, Rural & General Knowledge, and Grooming and Confidence.
We wish Alison all the best in the Port Phillip Group Regional Final in April.
Recently in Western Australia at the Perth Royal Show, the Supreme Red Poll Exhibit, Red Sands Edward, also won the All Breeds Supreme Senior Champion Beef Bull.
The Four year old Bull weighed in at 1,185kgs (heaviest bull at the show) with an Estimated Muscle Area (EMA) of 129 sqcm, with a fat measurement of 15mm on the P8 and 10mm on the rib.
Kinglake Red Poll breeders Barry and Lynette Johnson won the grand champion award for their Red Poll beef carcase at the Whittlesea Agricultural Show in November. The 12-month old Red Poll steer was also the winner of the show's light domestic class for a 160-220kg carcase.
The steer won with a score of 91.3 points from a maximum of 100. The Whittlesea competition uses the same carcase scoring as the Royal Melbourne Show, with a maximum 15 points for meeting market specification, 40 points for saleable meat yield, and 45 points for eating quality.
Considering the Johnson's Red Poll steer scored more points than the champion at the recent Royal Melbourne Show, it was definitely a great result.
| Age | 12 months |
| Live weight | 336Kg |
| HSCW | 191.2 Kg |
| Dressing % | 56.9 % |
| Market Specification | 14/15 points |
| Saleable Meat Yield | 40/40 points |
| Eating Quality | 37.3/45 points |
| Total | 91.3/100 points |
The historic amalgamation of the Australian Red Poll Society and the Australian Red Poll Cattle Breeders Association was announced at the Melbourne Royal Show, ending twenty-five years of separation. The merger was presided over by Mr. Ian Coghlan, president of the former 'Society' and Mr. Frank McCormack, president of the former 'Association'. Both presidents agree that the continued promotion of the Red Poll breed would be enhanced by a single entity.
The inaugural president of the new Australian Red Poll Cattle Breeders Inc, Ian Coghlan congratulated all Red Poll breeders on the outstanding result. He said "the function and efficiency of Red Poll cattle has particularly proved its worth during the past year, when much of Australia has been ravaged by drought. The foraging ability and feed conversion efficiency of Red Polls is something to be treasured."
In commending breeders, Mr. Coghlan added that during the past year "there has been considerable growth in the number of Red Poll studs and breeding age females which is laying an excellent foundation for the future of the breed." He also added that later this year a "Red Poll Group BREEDPLAN analysis will be run, allowing all Red Poll users to benefit from across the breed EBV's"
The Red Poll breed's reputation for producing prime beef has most recently been enhanced by wining the Champion domestic carcase and the Champion feedlot carcase at the Adelaide Royal Show. According to Mr. Coghlan "the challenge is to translate these successes into the commercial market that can particularly benefit from the use of Red Polls in cross breeding and composite breeding programs."
The Red Poll breed was well represented with 37 Red Poll entries plus 5 steers in the carcase competition, including entries from new breeders who have not previously exhibited. (Most other breeds decreased in number while we have increased our numbers).
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The 7thAnnual Red Poll and South Devon Sale was held on Saturday 10th May 2003, at the Whittlesea Showgrounds There were 37 Red Polls offered for sale. Top price went to Ross Draper for his 4 year old cow Red Cactus Sepjeth with a bull calf at foot (Red Cactus Learjet). Red Cactus Sepjeth was Senior Champion Cow at 2002 Royal Melbourne Show. The sale was conducted using the Helmsman auction system. This buying system combines the best features of both the auction system and sale by private treaty. People said that the "Helmsman" system was buyer friendly because it helped them get better value for money. The simultaneous auction method enables them to switch to the best valued animal at any time during the sale. Congratulations to the sale committee Gay Ward, Mark Harris, Paula McKenzie and Gordon Garratt. An excellent day was had by all. |
This year's Gippsland Field Days steer trial was completed when steers in the second turn-off were processed at Radford's Abattoirs last week.
The cattle were weighed for the last time on February 10. The leading pair for weight gain was a pair of Brangus cattle from Bob Davie's Bimbadeen Brangus farm at Ventnor with a 2.53 kilograms a day for the pair.
In second place was a pair of Angus Saler cross cattle from Peter Roger's Salco Partners farm at Lang Lang at 2.3 kilograms a day, and in third place was another pair of Brangus cattle from Bob Davie's farm on 2.24 kilograms a day.
Weight gain accounts for 45 per cent of the total points.
Following the processing of cattle at Radford's Abattoirs, the carcases were judged and the highest points score was achieved by a pair of South Devon/Red Poll/Angus cross cattle from the Somerville farm owned by Allan Condron of Stratford with 186 points.
Closely following in second place was a pair of Red Poll cattle entered by John Fowler with 145.5 points and in third place was a pair of Saler Angus cross cattle from the Scattered Gums farm of Reg Mickelburough.
The steers turned out in excellent condition in the second turn-off and after a full Ausmeat trim achieved a 56 per cent yield which was an outstanding performance. The color of the meat was excellent despite the dry conditions in which the trial was run during later days.
The remaining 55 per cent of points is judged on the quality of carcase and all winners in both the first and second turn-offs will be announced at Farm World on March 20.
There is a new award for this year's trial and this will be a perpetual trophy sponsored by Radford's Abattoirs. The award will be for steer of the trial. It will be judged by Robert Radford and announced at Farm World.
Warragul Gazette, 18 Feb 2003
Congratulations to Barry and Lynette Johnson and family of Lynbarry Red Poll Stud. Lynbarry Superflous was awarded Supreme Interbreed Exhibit at the Wonthaggi show on 11th January 2002 by Larry Cutler.
Trevor Hatch & Melinda Kent were judging at the Sale Agricultural Society on November 1st & 2nd 2002 and awarded Reserve Junior Champion Interbreed Male and Reserve Champion Interbreed Male to Raedean Classic. Champion Interbreed Pair of Heifers to Raedean Red Poll Stud (with Raedean Hanwood & Raedean Katie). Champion Interbreed Group of Three Animals to Raedean Red Poll Stud (with Hanwood, Katie & Classic), a great result for Noel and Annette.
Congratulations also go to Ross Draper of Red Cactus Stud for his success in the Interbreed competition at Lancefield show with his bull Red Cactus Woolara.
Ross also attended the Rochester Show where he won the Supreme Female Interbreed with Red Cactus Patlass, the judge was Graeme Collins. Even though it was not a feature show for Red Polls there were more Red Polls there than any other breed.
Further details are available here: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~redpoll/camp.html
Students, and presenters alike enjoyed the youth handlers camp at Lomandra Park, Heathcote Junction. The three day camp was help from 5th - 7th April 2002 during the school holidays, with an enthusiastic group of young farmers attending.
The feature packed program included sessions on Cattle Handling, Grooming & Leading, Cleaning and Maintenance of Show Gear, Tattooing, Cattle parading and Show etiquette, Marketing, Clipping, Animal Health, Best Management Practices, Knot Tying and Halter Making, Organics, and Scanning.
We would particularly like to thank Mike Bassula, Ian Coghlan, Drew Coulthard (Northern Melbourne Institute of Tafe, Animal Science), Ross Draper and Anja, Gerhard Grasser (Vitec & Gippsland Organic Livestock Inc.), Mark Harris, Daryl Johnson, Sean Kallady, Dr. Bruce Robertson, Ian and Nell Staff, Annette Walker and all the Red Poll breeders that supported or helped in any way.
All those who attended had a great time and are looking forward to the next camp.
Two and a half year old Raedean Bogart exhibited by Gay and David Ward was awarded Supreme beef animal in the Interbreed competition at the 2002 Pakenham Agricultural Show.
Congratulations to Gay and David.
Red Cactus Sepjeth was star of the show at the 117th Warragul & West Gippsland Agricultural Show.
Three year old Sepjeth with 7 week old calf at foot won Champion Female Beef Animal. The three judges Larry Cutler, Frank McCormack and Fiona Lindsay gave the broad ribbon to the Red Poll cow over the Junior Champion Angus bull from Carrington Park.
Congratulations to Ross Draper
The 17th Annual Sale of Red Poll Beef Cattle was held at Glen Innes, NSW, on Saturday, 16th February.
The venue was changed by the organisers, Kath Kendrick and Gordon Fletcher from Lismore to access a new market and over 80 people attended.
Ross Draper's Red Cactus Stud of Arthurs Creek entered the top priced bull, a two year old, which was sold to commercial breeders Miller Brothers of Glen Innes for $2400.
The top-priced female was offered by Nell and Ian Staff's Sophronites Stud of Pheasant Creek. The three and a half year old cow and calf were purchased by Rhea and Bockman's Tanamerah Red Poll Stud of Warwick, Queensland for $2600.
27 lots were sold by Agents Ian Weir and Son of Lismore and Newberry teVelde of Glen Innes. All 16 females offered were sold.
161 day grass fed trial held at Lardner park near Warragul, Victoria.
Two purebred Red Poll steers entered by John & Beth Fowler from Vesper, were the leading pair in the trial with a total of 167.5 points, 4.5 points in front of the next pair and were placed second and fourth individually.
The two steers had carcase weights of 442 and 452 kg, dressed at 57.7% & 57.3% with eye muscle areas of 68 & 81 sq cm, fat depth at the P8 of 9mm & 8mm. They recorded average daily weight gains of 1.02 & 1.12 kg. Safeway bought the steers for $3.40 / kg dressed.
Last updated: January 1st, 2009