A Western Australian cattle producer says the “ Gate 2 Plate” feedlot challenge has shown him the value of having real data to calculate decisions on farm.

Rodney Galati, of Brunswick in the state’s south west, won the overall competition, which measures animal performance for the Meat Standards Australia graded grainfed domestic market in WA.

Mr Galati said it gave producers a better handle on the performance of their beasts from farm, to feedlot and processor.

“It’s a great honour, it’s a fantastic concept. Winning came as a pretty big surprise, he said.”

Fifty nine producers were involved in this first-of-its-kind program in WA, entering three owner-bred animals (two steers and a heifer) to be monitored at Willyung feedlot, north of Albany, for 77 days. Five of these entries were Limousin or Limousin cross animals.

Mr Galati, along with his parents John and Mary, claimed the top honour with their Limousin x Angus cattle.

They also took out the best performing team at a feedlot and the individual heifer award.

Mr Galati said the data allows him to cross reference what he’s currently doing at his own feedlot.

“A lot of the competitors will use the information to make future decisions, probably what to breed, and feedlotters might look at it for what to feed,” he said.

“The processors can now have some real data to look at when calculating whether they’re offering sustainable pricing in the future. It’s the first time we’ve had any of that type of stuff in that type of format.”

Cattle were awarded points based on performance in the feedlot, processor and MSA compliance and saleable meat yield.

The other Limousin entries also performed very well with the following placings:
Third: Kevin and Sue Nettleton, Unison Limousins
Eighth: Murray & Jenny Fouracres, Hazelmere Limousins
Tenth: James and Casey Morris, Morrisvale Limousins
Thirtyth: Kevin Beal, Shannalea Limousins