It was wonderful to see a much-loved fundraising tradition continued for the sixth year running at the iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel and it raised over $30,000 at its annual charity steer luncheon.
Last Thursday, the Brekky Creek hosted its annual charity luncheon in the Spanish Garden restaurant and Led Steer auction out on the front lawn of the iconic venue.
The day is something I always look forward to and will never miss. Even though I was in the midst of moving house, I still made my annual pilgrimage to this fantastic event.
Darren Perkins once more called the auction as young Billy led the 760kg steer around the hotel showing it off to prospective bidders.
Bidding on the pure bred Champion Led Steer called Leopold on the front lawn was fast and eager until the winning bid was placed.
The largest steer ever put up for the charity auction fetched $26,000 from Geoff Atkinson, owner of successful Brisbane-based A la Carte Meats.
Each year the event is a great win for the chosen charity of the day, the QHA's Hotel Care's initiative supporting prostate cancer research.
Over the past three years of the event, the Breakfast Creek Hotel has proudly raised more than $100k for prostate cancer research through the auction and luncheon charity raffle.
After the charity auction, we all enjoyed a three course luncheon and gave generously to the charity raffle as we devoured the Ekka grand champion steer snapped up by the Breakfast Creek Hotel in August.
More than 200 people attended with the event being a who’s who of Queensland agriculture and business sectors.
It was a great opportunity to catch up with mates of old and new including Pete Lewis from ABC, former Reds coach Richard Graham, Cricketing great Ian Healy, hotel great Michael White and Nolan’s Meats boss, Terry Nolan. And of course my mate Paul ‘Campo’ Campion did a great job again this year as MC helping to raise a hefty sum through the charity raffle.
Coincidently, Terry Nolan told me the Creek will be stocking his mouth watering Blonde De Aquitaine again from November this year. According to Terry, the rare breed is a must-try and the Brekky Creek is one of the only places in Australia, and certainly Queensland, that will be preparing the Blonde beauties for the public. The perfectly lean and flavoursome cuts sell out quickly so booking early to secure a seat in the Spanish Garden is advisable. Call the lovely team on (07) 3262 5988.
Top AuctionsPlus result
Sir William Allen and family, Alice Downs, Blackall sold an exceptional line of Forest Park Santa Gertudis blood steers on AuctionsPlus on September 18 topping at $4.50kg. The heavyweight line of 179 steers averaging 316kg liveweight sold to $1300 head or $4.11kg, with the lightweight line averaging 212kg liveweight selling to $955 head or $4.50kg. All up, the 398 steers averaged $1184 head or $4.25kg.
Agents, Livestock & Meat Industry’s Dinner
My old mate Kevin Cummins, Goondiwindi advised me that the Agents, Livestock & Meat Industry’s will be holding a gala dinner at Goondiwindi on October 15.
This top event will be held at the Goondiwindi Golf Club, in Hindmarsh St Goondiwindi on October 15 with a 6:30pm to 7:30pm start.
Kevin said this will b a great opportunity for like minded folk to get together for a top evening with many stories and much reminiscing (No Fibs, Ha Ha) and as Kevin said “Meet Old Friends and Make New Friends.”
Guest speakers will be Noel Cook and Ross Frazer.
For further information, contact Kevin Cummins on 0428 713 422.
Make bookings by October 9 to Wendy Hanson on 0437 032 293.
Cost for the evening will be $50 and this included some alcohol.
Kevin suggested for accommodation the following – The Townhouse Motel (07) 467 11885 and Comfort Inn (07) 467 12888
2016 Beef Fast Facts released
MLA’s Market Information recently released the Australian Beef Industry Fast Facts 2016, which provides a brief snapshot of key industry statistics – including herd size, production, value, consumption, exports and Australia’s position relative to other countries.
Some highlights from the 2016 edition include:
The Australian cattle herd consists of 27.4 million head of cattle as of June 2015, including 2.8 million head of dairy cattle (ABS Agricultural Commodities 2014-15).
The off-farm value (domestic expenditure plus export value) of the Australian beef and cattle industry was $17.87 billion in 2015-16 (ABS, MLA estimate).
In 2015-16, Australia produced approximately 2.34 million tonnes cwt of beef and veal (ABS).
During 2015, Australia was the world’s largest beef exporter (USDA).
In 2015-16, Australia exported 74pc of its total beef and veal production to 84 countries (DA, ABS).
Domestic expenditure on beef was approximately $7.83 billion in 2015-16 (MLA estimate).
New groundwater laws will reduce pressure on landholders
New laws introduced into State Parliament will help take the pressure off landholders dealing with resources companies on underground water issues, AgForce says.
AgForce CEO Charles Burke said the impact on vital agricultural water supplies by resource projects remained a key concern for primary producers, and proposed new environmental laws were a positive step towards improved groundwater management.
"Primary producers want up-front certainty that their access to water will be secure and will not be interrupted or impaired by mining or gas sector activities," he said.
"This means having confidence that the risk to water assets are understood, that impacts are avoided in the first instance and that any residual impacts can be managed and 'made good'.
"AgForce acknowledges that the Queensland Government's proposed new laws will address a number of issues for landholders, and will assist landholders in engaging and negotiating with resource companies about managing impact on groundwater.
"AgForce is particularly pleased that landholders will have direct access to independent hydrogeological expertise to help them understand the potential impacts of resource projects and to better negotiate effective 'make good' agreements.
"The amendments also clarify that make good obligations on the resource sector will apply where there is a likelihood, rather than a certainty, that their activities cause or contribute to water supply problems.
"This should take some of the pressure off landholders having to prove that resource companies were in fact responsible for groundwater impacts where uncertainty exists."
Mr Burke said extending make good obligations to include gassy bores, the requirement for resources companies to cover the costs of alternative dispute resolution processes and including a cooling-off period for make good agreements were all positive proposals.
"AgForce will review the detail of the proposed legislation in coming weeks, and provide further comment through the Parliamentary committee process," he said..
Dalby sale
Ryan Dellit reported last week Graham Henderson & Co yarded cattle drawn from Meandarra, Monogorilby, The Gums, Durong, Kingaroy and the local area with a combined total of 2835 head. In the export grades bullocks sold to a firm market on the previous weeks levels. Cow classes improved in value with average prices up to 6c/kg better. Feeder Steers and heifers continued to sell to high rates with medium weight heifers to feed improving in value with a better quality yarding on offer. In the 2nd round only a limited number of store cattle were penned. Again all classes of lightweight young cattle demanded high rates with restockers very active in the market.
Highlights included - A/c Owen and Denis Kummerow, Haran, The Gums. Sold Charolais cross cows 278c/kg and $1692.
Chris Gleeson, Cariswoode, Millmerran, sold Droughtmaster cross cows for 275c/kg and $1670.
Barron Family, Farawell Valley, Meandarra, sold Angus weaner steers for 387c/kg and
$1193 and Angus weaner steers for 387c/kg and $1011.
