The 2016 Taroom Show prime cattle spectacular was everything organisers hoped for with cattle numbers breaking a 10 year lull.
The prime cattle section was revamped this year with extra effort put into gaining sponsorship and chief steward Randall Ziesemer said cattlemen of the Taroom district responded well to extra incentives.
“The prime cattle spectacular was an outstanding success. We yarded 180 head of quality prime and store cattle the district is renowned for,” Mr Ziesemer said.
A large crowd watched the judging and a new concept to involve spectators resulted in one lucky lady bagging a $100 bonus after agreeing with judge Richard Sheriff on the winner of the grand champion exhibit of the show.
This grand champion prize was won by Campbell and Sonia Watson, Moonya, Taroom, with a 31-month-old, 736 kilogram Brahman cross grass fed steer.
Stanbroke Feedlot’s Richard Sheriff judged the prime cattle section and said the grand champion exhibit was a perfect MSA targeted feeder steer.
“While we’re not breed specific we do feed a lot of that type and this steer would be ideal for the 100 day MSA market to go into our branded beef product,” Mr Sheriff said.
In a first for the Taroom Show prime cattle section, Mr Campbell’s grand champion exhibit was auctioned during the judging of the popular super bull challenge as a promotion for a local Taroom business and to increase crowd involvement.
The auction proved a resounding success and after some spirited competition Scott Ayre representing the Leichhardt Hotel outlaid $2250 for the steer.
Mr Ayre said aside from the prospect of enjoying a “good quality steak” he saw great value in supporting his local show.
“The Taroom Show Society go a long way behind the scenes to showcase the local area and it’s good to return the favour,” Mr Ayre said.
Harry and Erica Perrett, Cattle Downs, Taroom, won the champion pen of store cattle with their 18-month-old grass fed Santa Brangus cross steers.
The steers were bred at the couple’s Morven property and had spent the last 100 days on pasture at Cattle Downs.
With such encouraging results the prime cattle committee is looking forward to maintaining this year’s support at future shows.
