Newsletter for the week ending 11 November 2005

 Too Much Rain?

I have heard a few people mention in hushed tones 'that they wish it would stop raining for a bit'. Such is life with the crazy climate in this country. But we would prefer too much rain than too little.

EYCI Down

The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator is down to 376 cents per kilogram carcase weight a steady decline over the last four weeks. With the big turn around in the season in the Eastern States. There is still very strong demand for breeding females and young store stock. Restocker light vealers are selling up to 268 c/kg and yearling steers suitable for lot feeders and restockers are making 209 c/kg to 224 c/kg.

ILC Price for Australian Members

A list of costs for members to attend individual events in the International Limousin Conference was not included with the next letter to members because some of the costings are not quite finalised. They will be sent before Christmas.

Sydney Royal Schedules

The steer schedules for Sydney Royal were sent out about a week ago. If you would like to enter a steer but have not received a schedule please call Katie Lawrence at the RAS on

02 9704 1150. Steer entries close on Monday 12 December 2005.

The stud cattle schedules should have gone out this week. If you did not show in Sydney in the last two years and would like to enter cattle in the 2006 Limousin Feature Show please call Katie on the above number.

New beef cookbook combines nutrition and taste (from Drover's Journal)
Great taste and nutrition come together in The Healthy Beef Cookbook: Steaks, Salads, Stir-fry and More — Over 130 Luscious Lean Beef Recipes for Every Occasion. The book was produced through a partnership between the Beef Checkoff Program and the food and nutrition experts of the American Dietetic Association. It contains more than 130 delicious and nutrient-rich recipes, colour photos, nutrition tips and culinary techniques that feature lean beef, and many of the recipes take 30 minutes or less to prepare.

 

I wonder if the US Beef Industry will get the same criticism as the MLA did in Australia for daring to promote lean beef to consumers in their country. Maybe US consumers are no different to Australian consumers and are concerned about their fat intake but like to eat tender lean beef. (Alex McD)

Roger Tops Sheffield

Roger is purebred Limousin steer bred by Limousin Member Tim Bayliss and was one of three steers shipped across Bass Strait by Billabong High School from Culcairn NSW to compete in the Sheffield Schools Hood and Hook Competition in Tasmania. It was well worth the trip for Roger who was awarded Champion Heavyweight and Grand Champion led Steer in what is generally a large showing. Roger was also the lead steer in the winning Limousin team.

Competition for Dubbo National

The Brisbane Waters College/Umina steer, which was the Champion Crossbred Steer at the Dubbo National reported last week, was in fact a ¾ Limousin out of a Limousin X Murray Grey cow. The breeder was Jeanette Johnson from Peats Ridge NSW who is known for the top Limousin cow vealers. She sells at Maitland and Camden saleyards.

 

Bindoon Success

The Champion Extra Heavyweight steer at the Bindoon WA Show recently was a high content Limousin Steer.

Limousin Feature at Dungog

There is a Limousin Feature Show in Dungog this Saturday to be judged by ALBS President Max Atkins. The show includes a large junior event today.

Clifton All Breeds Heifer Show

There will be an All Breeds Heifer Show on Friday 17 February 2005 as part of the Clifton Queensland Show. Organiser John McCarthy expects prize money of between $4,000 and $5,00 to be available and over 100 juniors to compete.

Limo Time at Wodonga

The first of the high quality Limousin Cross milk vealers from early autumn calving have started to come through the Wodonga Saleyards. The top seven pens of steer vealers were Limousin X calves topping out 251.6 c/kg for a single calf over from JPF Smith from Urana.  Weighing 335 kg they made $843. The top dollar pen was for 5 Limousin X steers from CJ & RY Haynes of Wodonga, which weighed 379 kg and made 232 c/kg to come out at $879.

It was the same story for heifer vealers with the top seven pens all being Limousin X. the top price per pen kilo and in dollars were six outstanding heifer calves from JPF Smith which weighed 380kg, made 237.2 c/kg or $901.

In the heavy steer section John Payne from Rosewhite Vic sold three Limousin X steers 647 kg @ 183 c/kg = $1,183. The top price in the sale.

Warragul and Leongatha

Trevor Renshaw from Liffico makes a habit of topping Warragul (Vic) sale. Last week he did it again with a 430 kg steer vealer which made 247.2 c/kg or $1,062. Not far behind was J Dougal with a 435 kg steer vealer at 237.2 c/kg or $1,031.

Neal Renshaw traded on a Limousin bull weighing 1035 kg which made 183 c/kg or $1894 at Warragul.

At Leongatha the top sale was for Limousin X vealers weighing 355 kg which made 238.2 c/kg o r $845.

Benita Davis is Moving On

After almost 3 years of being responsible for Limousin BREEDPLAN, I am handing my duties over to the latest addition to the ABRI BREEDPLAN team - Maria Butler.  This change has occurred because I am relocating to Queensland to take up a position within the Tropical Beef Technology Services project.  Maria can be contacted on (02) 6773 3546 or email her at limousin@breedplan.une.edu.au.  I'm sure you will find Maria to be very helpful, thorough and dedicated.

It has been a pleasure to work with the ALBS BREEDPLAN members over the past three years and I thank you for your cooperation and patience.  I will be involved in the new Southern Beef Technology Services project part-time, which hopefully will include the ALBS, so I look forward to meeting and helping you at one of the SBTS workshops, which will be held around the country over the next three years. Best wishes, from Benita Davis

 

And we thank you Benita for your enthusiastic and efficient support of the BREEDPLAN members of ALBS over the last three years.

 

Yours in Limousin

Alex McDonald