Major changes are being touted for the 2019 Royal Adelaide Show beef cattle and led steer judging program to ensure the public can see cattle in the ring on both weekends.
Late last week, beef cattle exhibitors were sent an email announcing the new timetable which has led steers being judged first for the first time in many years.
It stated that it had been difficult since the RA&HS of SAs 175th celebration in 2014 to have a decent display of beef cattle on the second weekend when crowds were largest.
The circulated timetable has steer judging day as the first Sunday, September 1 and stud cattle arriving on Tuesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 4 ahead of the breed judging on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7.
The pinnacle of judging, the interbreed, will be held on the final day of the show Sunday, September 8.
However when contacted by Stock Journal the RA&HS of SA says the information was released prematurely and no decision has been made.
Royal Adelaide Show general manager Michelle Hocking says they are working with key stakeholders to see how best beef cattle can be on display for the duration of the 10-day Show.
Several options are being considered and the Society is hopeful of a decision by mid-December when all parties will be advised of the outcome, Ms Hocking said.
Angus feature breed chairperson Mark Fairlie says although he was surprised to receive the email he believes the positives of the current proposal outweigh the negatives.
He does not believe it will affect entries for the feature show which coincides with the breeds centenary in Australia, although the breed had to amend the booking of its show dinner.
This will give us a longer exposure to the public rather than the three days previously, but reduce the time feature breed cattle have to be there from 9 or 10 days to six days which is a better deal for the public and for exhibitors to showcase their cattle, Mr Fairlie said.
Based on the proposed program it would appear schools with both led steer and schools led wether teams could face a longer stay in Adelaide or two trips with the two competitions now three days apart rather than on consecutive days.
There may also be an impact on studs who also show breeder steers given the extended time between the two competitions.
