FOR Australian Brahman Breeders Association general manager Anastasia Fanning this will be her first Beef in the role, but certainly not her first Beef Australia.
Anastasia said while she missed the first Beef in 1988 because she was showing cattle in England, she has been lucky enough to attend the event regularly ever since.
“Our stud took cattle to Beef 1991 and I would have only missed a couple in that time since,” she said.
“It is a wonderful showcase of the beef industry with large numbers of cattle on display in both the stud rings and also commercial sections, including all the technology continually evolving in the industry.
“It is also a great gathering of the people involved in the industry and it is wonderful to catch up with so many people one doesn’t see too often due to distance.”
Since starting her role with ABBA, Anastasia said there has been plenty of challenges especially in the lead-up.
“I do have a lifelong love of cattle and to be able to work in the beef industry in such an influential breed is a wonderful privilege,” she said. “I am thoroughly enjoying the promoting of the breed and part of that is the editing our Brahman News.
“It was a great thrill to be able to complete my first Brahman News for the March issue and I look forward to putting more stories together about the breeders and what they are achieving in their stud herds but also to find out more about the stories of the commercial operators and how their use of the Brahman breed has influenced their herds.”
“I am excited to be heading into Beef, however obviously I have much more responsibility than ever before with the large display that the ABBA puts together every event.
“I am feeling confident that the display has come together nicely on paper however I may comment further when we get to Sunday May 6,” she laughed.
“It has certainly been a team effort.”
With 43 Brahman exhibitors heading into the stud ring with 190 head, and a large showing in the commercial section, Anastasia said she hoped to see most of the breed’s competitors over the course of the beef event.
”I am looking forward to catching up with a lot of people I know and also there are many people to meet as well with so many breeders visiting from all around the country,” she said.
“I always enjoy looking at good cattle so it will be exciting too to see the line-up.
“Another part of my job I have really enjoyed is going to the sales this year and meeting some more of the breeders and looking at their cattle.”