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Record for Show steer

Rebecca TurnerThe West Australian
With the $10,250 top-priced led steer, were buyer Kim McDougall, of Harvey Beef, Landmark auctioneer John Wirth, and cattle preparer Peter Milton, of Dardanup.
Camera IconWith the $10,250 top-priced led steer, were buyer Kim McDougall, of Harvey Beef, Landmark auctioneer John Wirth, and cattle preparer Peter Milton, of Dardanup. Credit: The West Australian

The WA processing sector's show of confidence was abundant at this year's IGA Perth Royal Show Led and Prime Steers and Heifers Auction.

Average sale prices rose 48.3 per cent on last year's result in both the led and prime sections, with this year's top price going to the Black Dog Ride charity steer, which sold for $10,250.

Donated by Jamie Abbs, the 436kg Angus steer had a PFAT of 10 and had spent 110 days on feed.

Top-price buyer Kim McDougall, who was bidding on behalf of Harvey Beef, said the company was proud to support an initiative that aimed to boost awareness of mental illness. He said several parties involved in this year's bidding were also keen to support the work of Black Dog Ride.

The owner of Harvey Beef, Minderoo, was represented at the sale by investment manager John Hartman, who said the company was happy to support the charity by buying the top-priced led steer.

Also keen to support a good cause, Borrello Beef secured the Royal Flying Doctor Service charity steer for $3500. The 416kg Salers steer, donated by AR and SM Penfold, had a PFAT of 6 and had spent 100 days on feed.

Landmark auctioneer John Wirth said overall, the quality of cattle was very good and the sale prices reflected this.

"This year's sale was much stronger than last year's," he said. "There were only a few cattle in the offering that lacked in quality and this was reflected in the price - that is how it should be.

"Overall, this year's sale had very good prices."

The average price of the 145 cattle sold was $1473, a significant increase on last year's average of $993 where 160 head went under the hammer.

This year's sale grossed $213,550, compared with the 2013 Perth Royal Show steer and heifer sale, which grossed $158,250. With top-priced animals aiding in the total gross income of the sale, prices through all categories were up on last year.

Harvey Beef did not stop its bidding at the Black Dog Ride charity steer, with the company securing a total of 16 steers and heifers for an average price of $2455 and a total of $39,250.

Among the 16 was the reserve grand champion led and champion heavyweight led steer, which sold for $3000. The steer was a 474kg Murray Grey exhibited by Murdoch University, with a PFAT of 9 and having spent 150 days on feed.

Harvey Beef was also the successful bidder on this year's reserve champion medium heavyweight led steer, which sold for $3100. The steer, a 462kg Angus-Hereford-Limousin cross, was owned by Lone Chorley and John Barber. It had a PFAT of 7 and had spent 120 days on feed.

The champion extra heavyweight led steer also sold to Harvey Beef for $3400. Exhibited by Lockridge Senior High School, the steer was a 586kg Blonde D'Aquitaine-Angus cross, which had a PFAT of 9 and had spent 90 days on feed.

In the prime section of the offering, Harvey Beef secured the reserve grand champion and reserve champion extra heavyweight prime steer for $2100. The 552kg Murray Grey steer, which had a PFAT of 7 and had spent 150 days on feed, was exhibited by Murdoch University.

Mr McDougall was also bidding on behalf of Coles, the biggest volume buyer at this year's sale. Coles bought a total of 20 steers and heifers, including 16 led steers and heifers and four prime steers and heifers.

Among its purchases was the supreme champion of both the led and prime sections, the grand champion led and champion medium weight led steer, which sold for $4100. The 457kg Limousin-Shorthorn cross, owned by AG and JC Murray, had a PFAT of 11 and had been on feed for 115 days.

Coles also bought the reserve champion medium weight steer for $2500. Owned by Murdoch University, the 457kg Murray Grey-Limousin cross had a PFAT of 5 and had spent 150 days on feed.

Coles paid the top price in the prime led steer or heifer section of the offering, buying the grand champion and champion extra heavyweight prime steer for $3700. Owned by AS and M Campbell and Son, the 528kg Charolais-Angus cross had a PFAT of 10 and had spent 90 days on feed.

Another volume buyer and long-time supporter of the sale was Johnson Meats, which bought 16 steers and heifers for an average price of $1160 and total of $18,550.

Other volume buyers included Swansea Street Butchers, Karradale Meats, Goodchild Meat Trading Company, Woolworths and Barbaro Brothers Quality Butchers.

Led and Prime Steers and Heifers Auctions * Type Offered Sold Top Price Gross Average Led steers and heifers 92 92 $10,250 $146,750 $1578 Prime steers and heifers 53 53 $3700 $66,800 $1260 TOTAL 145 145 $10,250 $213,550 $1473

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