Queensland Country Life

Beef Week: 5000 of South East Australia's best bulls on display

BEEF WEEK: Hanging Rock Speckle Park stud at Newham in Victorias Macedon Ranges will be open on Beef Weeks Day 4, Saturday, January 30.
BEEF WEEK: Hanging Rock Speckle Park stud at Newham in Victorias Macedon Ranges will be open on Beef Weeks Day 4, Saturday, January 30.

Story sponsored by Beef Week.

Thousands of cattle producers from across the country will flock to the south east in January for the 30th annual Beef Week.

Some of the industries biggest names will be making the rounds, looking to snap up the best genetics on offer.

Beef Week runs for eight days - from January 27 to February 3 - and will see 140 studs host an Open Day.

Thirty breeds will be represented, with a particular focus on the British and European breeds.

Beef Week director Geoff Phillips said the event was an important driver of economic growth for the south east region.

Mr Phillips has been involved with the event for 28 years and has seen it grow from just 50 studs into the juggernaut it is today.

Beef Week: 5000 of South East Australia's best bulls on display
Beef Week: 5000 of South East Australia's best bulls on display

In fact, he says, for many studs across the region, Beef Week is now their primary form of marketing.

Similarly, for many of the nation's of the largest producers - and in an ordinary year producers from all over the world - it's an opportunity to glimpse the best genetics and seed stock available.

Mr Phillips said it was also a great opportunity to not only take advantage of the bull sales that occur during Beef Week but to preview the upcoming Autumn sales too.

"The great thing about Beef Week is that the studs are open for a full day and most times you can get a hold of the property owner and have a good talk to them about what they're doing and their philosophy and how they're breeding better cattle," Mr Phillips said.

"Ninety percent of the studs that have sales in autumn are in Beef Week and there will be up to 5000 bulls on display for people to view and assess," he continued.

Beef Week: 5000 of South East Australia's best bulls on display
Beef Week: 5000 of South East Australia's best bulls on display

"Potential bull buyers get can get around to seven to eight studs a day to see what they've got on offer and make notes. They can also have a look at them up close to make sure they're structurally correct and have a good phenotype."

All of the bulls featured in Beef Week are catalogued and all relevant information about them is readily available for potential buyers.

This helps serious buyers by allowing them to get an agent to bid on their behalf at the Autumn sale if they are unable to attend or they can work out a private sale ahead of time.

Beef Week is organised by a committee from Stud Beef Victoria. They would like to remind all attendees to ensure they are adhering to all relevant COVID-19 recommendations whilst participating in the event.

For a full schedule of events, click here.

Story sponsored by Beef Week.