ONE of the highlights in the selling year is the pilgrimage to the annual Alice Springs Show cattle sale at Roe Creek, NT.
The sale on Thursday last week was no exception, with bidders and onlookers coming from across the NT, SA, Qld, NSW and Tas.
While prices were not as hot as last year, in line with other cattle markets across Australia, a healthy top of $3.40 a kilogram for steers was still achieved.
Meanwhile, selling agents at the annual Alice Springs Show bull sale on Saturday added a new twist as station owners who were registered bidders were able to make a “station’s pick”.
Those taking part filled in a card with their pick of the best two bulls from each of the breeds and then an overall champion.
For taking part, station owners had the chance to receive $1000 off a bull.
Territory Rural McPherson livestock manager David Eagleson said it was good way for breeders to know what station buyers wanted when they were looking for bulls.
The overall “station’s pick” was Trent Walker’s champion Angus bull – Keringa Hurcules L59.
I had quite a few highlights from the three days of sales and judging in Alice Springs last week.
The Alice Springs Show has a major focus on encouraging youngsters to be involved the cattle industry, with a swag of awards, including $1000 for one youth at attend the SA Junior Heifer Expo in Adelaide.
But I had to chuckle at one young pup in the judging ring who seemed underwhelmed with the experience while taking part in the junior handler competition on Friday.
Once he had received a ribbon, he decided he had enough of holding on to his animal and declared to judge Scott Dunlop – “here you are, you can have it”, dropped his rope and wandered off back to the yards.
I also had another giggle when Governor General Peter Cosgrove, who officially opened the Alice Springs Show, did his best to try and stop me stepping in something I should not have.
I explained to him I had attended many livestock markets, so it was not a new experience for me. Good times.
