In a unique show of breed unity, the Red Angus Society of Australia will align with the Simmental Society of Australia for the Ausmectin National Show and Sale being held on June 20 – 21 at the Dubbo Showground.
Sale committee spokesperson Tom Baker, Woonallee Simmentals, Furner, SA, said the society's came together for the sale to promote the crossbreeding advantages of each breeds.
“It made sense for us to join forces as we share many of the same commercial production clients, and by having the sale encompass both breeds it will better cater for their need,” Mr Baker said.
Crossbreeding with Simmental produces significant productivity gains due to hybrid vigour and to the additive traits derived from the Simmental breed. When combined, these gains generally boost overall productivity by 10 to 20 per cent in the Simbeef F1 (first cross) animal and by 20 to 25 per cent where the Simbeef F1 female is used as a breeder.
Likewise, incorporating Red Angus into a crossbreeding program offers a number of advantages including calving ease, naturally Polled cattle, a solid pigmented red coat, moderate maturity, a docile temperament, highly fertile females and excellent carcass attributes.
In all 105 lots will be offered at the sale comprising 56 Red Angus and 49 Simmental lots respectively.
The sale will officially begin on the night of Tuesday, June 20 with the Red Carpet sale dinner taking place at the Dubbo RSL from 6.30pm, where Red Angus and Simmental semen packages and Simmental embryos will be available for purchase.
The night will also provide a great opportunity for vendors, prospective buyers and agents to have a yarn in a relaxed environment while enjoying a delicious two course meal.
From 8am on Wednesday, June 21 the bulls and females featured in the sale catalogue will enter the ring for the National Show judging which will be presided over by Brett Nobbs, founder and principal of the highly successful NCC Brahman Stud.
Mr Nobbs has 25 years judging experience of stud and commercial cattle of a wide range of breeds at numerous shows throughout Australia. He’ll be joined by associate judge Isobel Robertson. Ms Robertson is a fifth generation Beef Producer from Wongwibinda, NSW where she co-manages Fishington Red Angus Stud, she is also the current Junior Red Angus Ambassador.
After the National Show has concluded the National Sale will begin from 1pm with 33 Red Angus and 19 Simmental bulls going under the hammer, followed by 17 Red Angus and 14 Simmental females.
Mr Baker said the show and sale will be a truly national event with some of the best of the breeds being offered by 36 highly regarded vendors from New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia.
“An outstanding group of cattle from both breeds has been assembled for the sale, which are uniformly early maturing cattle, that have softness, muscling and carcasse quality traits that all commercial producers will appreciate,” he said.
“Those bidding during the day should be able to take home high quality cattle for very reasonable prices.”
He said producers unable to attend the sale in person can bid on the sale lots through the AuctionsPlus website.