Gyranda Santa Gertrudis stud co-principal Peter Mahony strongly believes that to gauge your cattle's performance in the feedlot environment, you need to select for growth and temperament.
That was the criteria he used when selecting his RNA Paddock to Palate entries for this year's competition and it certainly paid dividends with their cattle placing strongly.
The Cracow-based Gyranda Pastoral Company's pen of six steers won Class 40 with an average daily gain of 2.419kg, and one of those steers recorded a massive ADG of 3.26kg to claim the highest individual weight gain award.
"Predominately we weigh our cattle every three months and when we selected from a mix of our commercial and stud herd," Mr Mahony said.
The Gyranda herd comprises of 3500 cattle which is a 50 per cent mix of stud and commercial cattle.
About 60pc of their steer turn-off are sold as heavy steers with weights of 450 to 550kg direct to the feedlot.
"We take the balance through to grassed-finished steers selling direct to Tey's Australia, Bilolea," Mr Mahony said.
"It was fantastic to record an ADV of 3.26kg in a non hormone growth promotant class and only be .01kg behind in weight gain to that winner."
"We are strong believers that temperament collates to performance and if the animal is very quite it will eat all day."
Gyranda first entered the RNA Paddock to Palate competition in 2015 and won the 100 day class, while in 2017 they had similar success winning the 70 day class.
Like most other exhibitors these steers were born and raised in a drought.
The Mahony's received a welcome break in the season in February and received 300 millimetres of rain.
"Our pasture has stood up well for the winter months," Mr Mahony said.
The Mahony's sell more than 200 Santa Gertrudis bulls annually, including 100 at their on-property bull sale, and between 100 to 120 bulls in paddock sales to north west Queensland.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
