Serpentine-based Evensong Farm owners Agatha and Bert Veenendaal, who were the Gate 2 Plate overall winners, with Nutrien Ag Solutiions Albany branch manager Todd Keeffe. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
The Albany-based Gate 2 Plate Challenge committee hosted its 11th annual awards presentation and dinner to celebrate the feedlot competition’s results aimed at “steady improvements” towards advancing WA’s beef cattle industry.
With about 60 cattle farming properties participating this year, nearly 200 producers, sponsors, and industry representatives flocked to Albany’s Retravision Stadium for the presentations on June 7.
The committee takes great pride in enhancing the WA beef industry through the challenge competition that provides the opportunity for participants to learn together from farm gate to consumer’s plate.
The evening kicked off with pre-dinner drinks and canapes before guests were seated for a three-course meal prepared by the local Sapid Catering team.
After many category winners were announced, MC Erika Henderson named Serpentine-based Evensong Farm owners Bert and Agatha Veenendaal as the overall winners, the couple were the first to take out a back-to-back winning cattle team title for their four-steer team entry.
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The evening also included an auction of donated goods and a charity steer to raise money for charities including the Keep The Sheep campaign, Regional Men’s Health, Dolly’s Dream and McGrath Foundation.
Representing the Diamond sponsors of the Gate 2 Plate Challenge are Bendigo Bank staff members including Albany branch manager Gavin Boardley, Mt Barker branch director Grant Cooper, Albany assistant branch manager Danielle Holst, with Tambellup and Cranbrook branch manager Racheal Nicholls and director Ray Squibb and agribusiness relations manager Darren Bennett. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Kalgan-based Rayview Park principal Jarrod Carroll and Bendigo Bank Mt Barker branch director Grant Cooper. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Narrikup beef producers Alex and Ed Riggall. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Gate 2 Plate Challenge committee members Sandy Lyon and his wife Narelle, who carry out the roles of feedlot manager and challenge coordinator respectfully. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Serpentine-based Evensong Farm owners Agatha and Bert Veenendaal, who were the Gate 2 Plate overall winners, with Nutrien Ag Solutiions Albany branch manager Todd Keeffe. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Summit Gelbvieh stud founders John Pugh and Kim Pugh, of Narrikup, who were the Gate 2 Plate overall winners in 2022. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Serpentine-based Evensong Farm owners Agantha and Bert Veenendaal, who were this year's Gate 2 Plate overall winners, with Lower King-based Direct Seeding managing director Stewart MacTaggart. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Alcoa Farmlands manager Vaughn Byrd with Harvest Road cattle buyer Jonathon Green. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Albany-based Nutrien Livestock cattle development manager David Lindberg with Gate 2 Plate Challenge committee member Sandy Lyon, who is the competition's feedlot coordinator. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Albany-based Ballawinna Angus stud principals Mich and Jen Pratt. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Woogenellup-based cattle producers David and Renee Pearce. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Serpentine based Evensong Farm owners Bert and Agatha Veenendaal, who were the overall winners of this year's Gate 2 Plate Challenge. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Gate 2 Plate Challenge committee member Julian Gugenheim and his wife Bev. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Toodyay-based cattle producers and Gate 2 Plate Challenge participants Robin and Kevin Yost, principals of Liberty Charolais stud, with Plantagenet Shire president Len Handasyde. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
