Pen of Charbray cattle wins Indonesian feedlot competition

Mrs Sainsbury was chosen to judge the Nutrition Service Associates feedlot steer competition to iron out any creases in the process of creating a scholarship for national young judge or parading winners.   

Her experience in cattle judging began in 1999 when she became involved with Rockhampton junior beef, however Mrs Sainsbury said her trip to Indonesia gave her a new level of knowledge.

“It was a trial run where they wanted my feedback on the competition, but I was surprised at how valuable the trip was for myself,” she said.

“You get a certain image when you think of judging cattle in Indonesia due to the negative media surrounding Indonesia’s supposedly poor animal husbandry.

“When you get there it’s a complete turnaround and the standards of these feedlots is totally mind blowing.”

Mrs Sainsbury said one of the biggest surprises was the number of non Brahman cattle including Charbray and Limousin cross breeds.

“The winning pen were Charbrays from Newcastle Waters in the Northern Territory and if they were in a competition here against cattle from an Australian feedlot, you wouldn’t see a difference,” she said.

Mrs Sainsbury said many common misconceptions about Indonesian lotfeeding were changed for her on the trip.

“We come to think that Brahmans are the only cattle exported to Indonesia but when I arrived and saw the Charbrays I thought holy heck,” she said.

“Indonesian feedlots are that far ahead of where we think and it was a real standout, lightbulb moment.”

Mrs Sainsbury said a major difference between Australian and Indonesian feedlots was minimal commodity wastage in Indonesia. 

“Any grasses that are grown on the island are all used along with the top off sugar cane whereas here in Australia we don’t use that,” she said.

An abundance of labour also surprised Mrs Sainsbury despite labour intensity matching that of Australia.

“In a feedlot here we could have two or three main workers doing everything but in Indonesia, the same sized feedlot could have 100 workers,” she said. 

Mrs Sainsbury likened the quality of Charbrays in Indonesia to that on offer at the upcoming Monto Charbray sale and said producers looking for hybrid vigour would be pleased with the selection of cattle presented. 

The inaugural Monto Charbray infused prime and store cattle show and sale is expected to tick many boxes for beef producers chasing hybrid vigour in weaners through to prime cattle.

The sale is booked for Thursday May 26 and Monto Cattle and Country owner Brad McInally said he hoped for upwards of 1000 head.

“We’ve currently got 520 booked in and that number is likely to climb as the sale gets closer,” Mr McInally said.

“So far we’ve got vendors from around Monto, Biloela, Boyne Valley and Eidsvold but we may see cattle come further than that.”

Mr McInally said the Charbray Society would receive a percentage from the sale with the aim of promoting the breed and “helping the society out.”

“Charbrays are very popular in the area and weaner Charbrays have topped the last four Monto sales,” he said.

“The vendors are looking at pre-treating their cattle and we’re expecting a good turn out of buyers from lotfeeders to people wanting weaners to put back in the paddock.”

The show and sale offers $17,000 worth of prizes including two holiday packages and two $1000 bull credits.