A greedy Senepol/Angus cross steer from Canowindra has set a new record with its daily weight gain during the Callide Dawson Beef Carcase Competition in Queensland. The 24-month-old steer gained a whopping 4.6kg daily weight, the highest mid-term weight gain in the competition’s 30 year history. The steer, one of three entered by first time exhibitors Clayton and Sarah Maynard of Southern Star Rural near Canowindra, currently leads the pack of 143 competition steers at the 53-day mark of their feedlot preparation. Senepols are leading the way for breed results
too with the top four exhibits doing 3.41kg/day, ahead of the overall competition average of 2.87kg/day.
Clayton integrated Senepols alongside a composite breeder herd when he began his operation eight years ago, with this indulgent steer sired by 5 Star 130509. He credited genetic selection as the secret to the steer’s surprising success having been a middle of the range animal when he left for the competition.
“At the time I didn’t think this particular steer was a stand out, he wasn’t an overly big calf and was middle of the range for weight,” he said. “You need to benchmark yourself. We think we are doing a good job, but until you enter a competition like this and get that feedback, I think that’s vital for decision making down the track.”
A selection of quality Senepol and Senepol/Angus and Senepol/ Charolais bulls are available for sale from Southern Star Rural in Canowindra. Call Clayton Maynard on 0439 029 204 for more information.