Runner-ups in the competition with their pen of purebred Angus was Coolie Angus, Merriwa, which is managed by Jamie Edmonds.

This year’s competition attracted 150 head and included, for the first time, cattle from outside the Merriwa district.

The cattle were fed at the Gill family’s feedlot Alexander Downs, Merriwa for 111 days before being processed in Tamworth. Cattle arrived in June and were judged on the hoof at the Merriwa Show in September by Dennis Strachan. Carcases were judged by Jason Siddell on October 7.

Feed consumption averaged 10.35kg/head/day, daily weight gain was 1.89kg/day and the average feed cost per head was $460.

Judging is based on each pen’s feedlot performance and carcase performance plus how each pen met their feedlot induction criteria. 

Clark Livestock’s Limousins returned a profit per head of $206 ranking them third overall in the competition and they were second in their class on the hook. The Coolie Angus pen recorded a profitability of $207/head ranking them third in the competition.

The Laurie family’s Knowla Livestock, Moppy near Gloucester entered the most profitable pen achieving $212/head profit.

Wallings Pastoral Company, owned by Andrew and Sandy Wallings, Collaroy Station, Cassilis won the most successful exhibitor award. Their Simmental cross Angus pen were first on the hoof and joint winners of the AG Gill Perpetual Trophy for highest point score on the hoof. The other winners were a pen of Speckle Park steers entered by Jason and Tammy Nairne, Cassilis. 

Minamurra Pastoral, ‘Cortina” Bylong won the champion pen on the hook with their Angus entries with the reserve pen also being Angus bred steers from the Johnston family Gloucester who are regular Knowla bull buyers. Champion carcase was an Angus entered by Cam and Del Leggett, Merriwa.