Page 9 - 2024-SJ-Beef-Week

Stock Journal Beef Week | 2024
“Don’t be afraid to talk
to your peers,” he said.
He also repeated
Mr Pearce’s
recommendation about
attention to detail.
“There is absolutely no
substitute for observation
and dedication,” he said.
“You’ve got to live with
them - show day is one
day, it’s the other 150 days
that matter.”
When it came to
selecting and identifying
good steers, Mr Spence
said he knew of a teacher
who had photographs of
award-winning steers from
competitions Australia-
wide on display in their
classroom.
“How do the kids know
what we’re trying to
achieve when they come in
Agriculture teacher Emma Phillips, Thomas Foods International assistant livestock manager the first week?” he said.
Ben Davies, regular competitor Jono Spence, Keith, Darren Koopman, Bottlesford, Tungkillo, Paul Bruggemann,
regular competitors Paul Bruggemann, Mallala, and Lizzy Baker, Furner, and Anthony Pearce, Mallala, who exhibited the
Hills Farm Supplies. Picture by Elizabeth Anderson 2023 grand champion steer
on-hoof, said identifying
to know the animal, “This is my hobby, my involve a set of scales, a good steers did get easier
seeing if there were any holiday, I don’t want to be calculator, and a calendar. with practice.
potential temperament stressed (at the show),” Mr Spence also He said he would look
or shy feeding issues, he said. recommended having through hundreds of steers
and resolving those He said selecting which a “trusted panel of to find a few to exhibit at
ahead of time. steers to focus on should advisors”. the Royal Adelaide Show.

*+#"-'-&, -, +%!-,(,) ,%)+-)-&,$

-(0-!05+"5!& 2 ."$"0-!+& -(1/$!5! *!!%& *"+1 "%'6&(+3 &!+'6-!&

+4+"$ &4//$6!& 2 !,46/1!05 "061"$ #!"$5# /"&54+! ")+(0(13

3, $6-)7# /#*
5( (1'4 ,+3' 2. 0&#"7#% $!

9