Page 8 - 2024-SJ-Beef-Week

Stock Journal Beef Week | 2024
Planning key to led steer success

By ELIZABETH It featured a range
of carcase experts,
ANDERSON exhibitors imparting “ There are a lot of steers here but the
ORK likely nutritionists, and some one that stands up at the end, I’m
successful led steer
started months
Wago for many wisdom to school students pretty sure it won’t be a fluke.
of the competitors in and their teachers. - JONO SPENCE
this year’s led steers On the topic of school ”
competition at the Royal steers, Mr Koopman has
Adelaide Show. experience on each side “December is weaning “You want to get them
Speaking at a panel at of the equation, having time for us - we start to work there with no setbacks
the 2023 Royal Adelaide supplied steers to schools out what animals are going, and if you allow yourself
Show about preparing as well as working directly do some handling and enough time, you have
led steers, breeder and with the students. wellness checks,” he said. time to recover (from
university lecturer Darren He said the He said depending setbacks).”
Koopman said planning relationship between on if they were for the Mr Pearce said it was
for the next year’s event breeders and schools is export or trade category, important to understand
began almost as soon as an important one with the steers would likely feed and water quality.
the last one wrapped up. communication key. be delivered to the Regular led steer
“This event culminates He said breeders needed school in March or April. competition winner Jono
the work, but conversations to understand the facilities Nutrition specialist Spence, Keith, said an
for 2024 begin the day available at the school to Anthony Pearce, Hills important part of the
after,” he said. know if the animal selected Farm Supplies, said preparation was having a
The panel was held was suitable, while schools feeding steers came down plan in place.
the day before the led could provide value to to attention to detail. “There are a lot of steers
steers competition, at the breeders by providing He said this could here but the one that
suggestion of Naracoorte feedback on how the steer include understanding the stands up at the end, I’m
High School agricultural performed. breed in order to know pretty sure it won’t be a
teacher Emma Phillips Mr Koopman said what to feed it. fluke,” he said.
and convened by Angus decisions would have “If you’re new to the He recommended
Australian extension started being made late competition, give yourself “doing the work early”,
officer Jake Phillips. last year. extra time,” he said. starting with getting

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