Charbray feedlot trial showcases breed's attributes

Now in its second year, this year the trial has drawn 72 entries comprised of 28 steers and 44 heifers.

The Charbray feedlot trial field day was held at Waterfall Feedlot near Goomeri on Tuesday to provide producers with a chance to inspect the cattle.

The cattle entered have recorded an average 163.25kg gain during the trial so far and an average daily gain of 1.94kg. Once they reach the 100 day mark next week, they will be processed at Nolan Meats in Gympie.

Charbray Society of Australia vice-president Matt Welsh said the trial was largely about breed recognition and showing the benefits of a sustained Charbray breeding program.

"We do have a lot of our Charbray seedstock producers entering more and more cattle into events like this," he said.

"The main objective is we want to be able to promote the fact that Charbrays are very compliant with their MSA grading.

"Last year being the inaugural year we got a great result, we're not expecting any different this year."

This year's trial has drawn entries from both stud and commercial operators from Chinchilla, Jambin, Kandanga, Mount Larcom, Kingaroy and Goomeri.

Feedlot trial committee member John Mercer said of last year's 123 entries, 121 achieved MSA grading.

"We had a bit of three-day sickness last year so those two that didn't make it, you could see they'd been quite sick," he said.

Mr Mercer said numbers were down this year due to tough conditions.

"We probably had at least four decks of cattle that were coming and because of the dry some had either been sold prior or just were under the weight," he said.

"Next year if things turn around a bit, this could really grow."

In future the Charbray Society will also consider running a grass-fed competition.

Among the speakers at the field day was Meat & Livestock Australia's Hayley Robinson of MLA, who addressed the crowd about MSA grading. Ms Robinson said when compared to eating quality score Australian average of 57.78pc, last year's Charbray feedlot trial cattle averaged 58.57pc.

"By not putting in a HGP, without even selecting for hump height, just selecting for Charbrays that can get here... you've been really to do a really good job on 70 days feed," she said.

Results will be announced at a meet and greet event the night before the Charbray national sale at Gracemere Saleyards on September 25.