THE second annual Clermont Beef Expo incorporated a prime and store cattle show and sale, trade display, Simmental bull sale, and agribusiness forum on how to improve on-farm productivity.
Held on Wednesday at the Clermont Showgrounds, the expo has been heralded a success by both organisers and producers who attended.
The event was staged by local livestock agents Hoch and Wilkinson and rural merchandise CRT outlet, Clermont Agencies, and partnered by Queensland Country Life.
Hoch and Wilkinson yarded 1420 head of quality prime and store cattle that sold above market expectations.
Claiming the champion pen of prime cattle and grand champion exhibit of the Clermont Beef Expo were Sam and Jane Barton, Huntly Droughtmasters, Clermont.
Their pen of 10 Droughtmaster steers, earlier won the pen of Japanese grass-fed bullock class.
Mr Barton said the cattle were by home-bred Huntley Droughtmaster Stud bulls had endured an average season.
“We did have 50mm of rain at the end of September that allowed us to finish them on buffel grass and green panic,” Mr Barton said.
The cattle were described by respected judge and local JBS buyer, John Ilott, as in great condition, smooth coated, with good yield and weight for age.
Mr Ilott then backed his own judgement and bought them on behalf of JBS Townsville.
The best beast of the expo was a Droughtmaster steer presented by Ken and Kerry McKenzie, Yaralla, Blackwater.
Local veterinarian Alan Guilfoyle and family, Table Downs, claimed the champion pen of store steers.
Helen Walker
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Rockhampton.
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Rockhampton.
