Press release For immediate use May 19 2010 Solid Sales at 2010 Beef Expo Buyers at this year’s Beef Expo confidently bought some of the best cattle genetics available in the country. With all cattle from the breeds on offer at the national bull sale, being inspected by independent inspectors prior to sale week, the quality of bulls was particularly high, assuring buyers that the ‘best of the best in beef genetics’ was on offer. The new selling formula of combining all breed sales into one Sale Day was hugely successful allowing agents and buyers to purchase bulls of differing breeds in a shortened timeframe. Making for a busy day logistically for Event Manager, Mark Stevens of PBBnz, he comments “the selling of over 150 stalled/penned bulls individually in seven different concurrent breed sales on one day takes some working through but we are delighted with how this new format for Beef Expo has been accepted by all and has actually run very smoothly” Sale Averages were pleasing, up on 2009 with most breeds around $5000 - $5500 sale average and the Angus breed at $7000. Guest International Judges at Beef Expo 2010, Marion and John Tilson of Scotland, selected the Hereford bull, Leelands Digital 833 as their choice of Sire for the premier PGG Wrightson Champion of Champions title. The Judges commented on Digital, saying, “he is a very impressive bull with very good carcase data and shows great balance in his figures and structural soundness.” Delighted with the win, and in their final year of selling cattle at Beef Expo, retiring stud masters and loyal supporters of Expo, Charlie and Margaret Lee, of Leelands Hereford stud, Hawkes Bay could not have dreamt of a better finale – both the Supreme Champion Hereford and the PGG Wrightson Champion of Champions titles. Leelands Digital 833 went on to sell later in the Hereford breed sale to the Kokonga Hereford Stud of Port Waikato for $9000. Kokonga Stud also purchased the Supreme Champion Hereford at the 2009 Beef Expo. The Reserve PGG Wrightson Champion Of Champions title went to the Angus breed with Fossil Creek Warragul 92-08, the Angus Supreme Champion for 2010 taking the honour. Bred by Neil and Rose Sanderson of Fossil Creek stud at Oamaru, Warragul 92-08 sold in the last sale of Expo 2010, the Angus sale for $14,000 to the Angus studs. A commanding Angus bull fetched top overall price at Beef Expo 2010. Bred by the Turiroa Angus Stud of R & O Powdrell of Wairoa, the Kaharau stud of Colin Williams and Colin Dowding of Gisborne purchased Turiroa Power 008490 for $26,000. This price was closely followed by buyer support for a local bull from the Norsewood based Mount Mable Angus stud. Mt Mable Master 476 bred by K & M Friel of Norsewood sold for $25,000 to the Turihaua Angus Stud of Hamish and Angela Williams. A new initiative for 2010; a technical forum held as a breakfast session on Day One of Expo was well supported. Close to one hundred breakfast goers listened to Dr Scott Champion, CEO of Meat and Wool NZ outline the current and future strategy of the company soon to be known as Beef + Lamb, NZ Ltd – strategies that will work to the best effect for NZ sheep and beef farmers. Professor Mike Goddard of the Australian Beef CRC and Melbourne University enlightened the audience with findingd from his internationally significant dairy and beef genetic research. Dr Farah Palmer finished the breakfast session on a lighter note, entertaining all with antidotes from her time with the NZ Womens Rugby Team. This inspirational Doctor of Sociology and sports captain participated in three NZ winning rugby world Cup teams. The much anticipated Steak of Origin completion wrapped up the 2010 Beef Expo event. A Limousin Angus Cross entry headed off four other category winners to take the illustrious Steak of Origin 2010 title. Hotly contested and attracting a record 400 entries this year, the competition, the brainchild of Beef and Lamb Nz, endeavours to find NZ ‘s tenderise and tastiest steak. Twenty steak finalists in five differing categories were scrutinized and taste tested by celebrity judges, Sarah Walker, BMX World Champion and former All Black Richard Loe, with radio host Jamie MacKay. Together with professional Chefs Graham Hawkes and Hester Guy, the Steak of Origin 2010 winning steak was found. 2010 Supreme Steak of Origin winners… Kathy Child and Yvonne Hill of Whangarei with a Limousin Angus Cross entry. Delighted by their success, growers of this year’s winning Steak of Origin entry acknowledged the significance of a win in the competition for the grower and for the greater NZ beef industry. Other category winners included Best Of Breed – European Tony Thompson, Waipukurau- Simmental Best of Breed – British Forbes Cameron, Ashhurst – Angus Best of Breed – Crossbreed Kathy Child and Yvonne Hill, Whangarei - Limousin Angus Cross Best of Brand - Retail Magills Butchery, Te Awamatu – Hereford Prime Best of Brand – Wholesale and Foodservice Chefs Choice, Wanganui – Angus Pure ### Murray Meads, Events Director, Performance Beef Breeders 06 323 4484 murray@pbbnz.com