Under the Hammer

SPECKLES AT THE SALES

They might be easy on the eye, but it is what’s on the inside that counts. Speckle Park cattle are known for their superior yield, high feed conversion rates and adding tremendous hybrid vigour. Winning carcase competitions and consumer taste tests, Speckle Park has cemented its position as the breed to watch in the Australian beef industry.

While the popularity of the breed is evident in the show ring, it is commercial demand that will determine the longevity of Speckle Park cattle in Australia. Demand continues to grow with exceptionally high clearance rates at the local yards and recorded at Speckle Park stud sales with growing average prices and new world records being achieved.

From what is still a comparatively small contingent, Speckle Park cattle commanded a number of podium positions at this year’s Brisbane Ekka on hoof and hook. Speckle Park steers were awarded first place in the pen of 6 (400 – 520kg category) for the second year running and a Speckle Park infused steer was winner of the MSA Eating Quality Award for the Mediumweight class. Speckle Park steers also took out the Open Middleweight Purebred Steer class at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and Champion Crossbred Steer on Hoof at the Royal Adelaide Show.

“Results like these are attracting attention. We have seen an influx of new buyers to the Speckle Park market and competition for quality stock has been growing substantially,” says Carl Young, Territory Sale Manager, Elders Beaudesert.

The marked increase in buyer activity has translated to an increase in the use of Speckle Park bulls in commercial operations which is in turn seeing far more Speckle Park infused cattle in the sale pens. Saleyards have been producing increasingly remarkable results for vendors of Speckle Park cattle. Demand and competition is fierce with buyers from all kinds of operations vying to secure stock. “There has definitely been a shift. Speckles are being accepted more widely as being positive contributors to commercial operations and that is being seen at auction. When there are Speckle Park infused cattle in the pen, you can see a lift in the interest and bidding takes off. Speckles are definitely fetching a premium to comparable stock,” Carl notes.