The Armidale Feeder Steer School is making a highly anticipated return to the University of New England from Monday to Thursday, 10-13 February. This event has garnered a significant amount of interest, with close to 150 individuals already registered and more than 200 attendees expected for the event’s dinner. The remaining placements are projected to be filled by the upcoming weekend, indicating a strong demand for this educational opportunity.
The Feeder Steer School was a popular annual event over 20 years ago but ceased with the conclusion of the Beef CRC program in 2012. In the past, each workshop sold out quickly, and it seems that this year will be no exception based on the current registration numbers. The absence of the school for 15 years has resulted in a generation of young beef producers missing out on the chance to participate in this valuable program.
This year’s edition of the Feeder Steer School, referred to as Feeder Steer School 2.0, will feature workshops and presentations from industry leaders such as Meat & Livestock Australia, Teys, Angus Australia, CSIRO, Jeff House Livestock, Apiam Animal Health, NSW Department of Primary Industries, UNE, and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services. The diverse range of presenters across the value chain will provide insights and expertise on various topics related to cattle, making the event beneficial for individuals involved in different aspects of the supply chain.
The program will cover a wide range of subjects, including genetics, pastures, yard weaning, carcase data, transport, and nutrition. Sponsors for this year’s event include Zoetis, Angus Australia, Teys, JBS, Rabobank, Genetics Australia, and Local Land Services NSW. Dr. Peter McGilchrist from UNE emphasized the importance of proper cattle preparation for successful performance in feedlots, highlighting the value of knowledge gained from the Feeder Steer School in improving breeding, feeding, and cattle management practices.
The lineup of speakers at the event includes industry experts like Sam Ditchfield from Woolworths Greenstock, Dr. Kev Sullivan, Barb Madden from a lotfeeder perspective, Dr. Brad Hine, and Michael Finucan from JBS. These speakers will address various topics such as retail beef needs, cattle psychology, feedlot management, genetic selection tools, and market demands for feeder cattle.
The Feeder Steer School is expected to become a biennial event in the future, providing a valuable learning opportunity for industry professionals and enthusiasts. Beef Central will be covering the event next month, capturing the insights and highlights from this highly anticipated gathering.
In conclusion, the resurgence of the Armidale Feeder Steer School signifies a renewed interest in developing livestock industry skills and knowledge. With a diverse range of presenters and topics, this event promises to be a valuable learning experience for attendees across the livestock and red meat sectors. Stay tuned for updates and insights from the Feeder Steer School as it continues to be a pivotal event in the industry calendar.
