Annual Brunswick cattle industry expo commended

24/2/93

Primary Industry Minister Monty House said today Western Australia was setting new national standards through the unique State cattle industry expo and multi-breed stud sale conducted annually at Brunswick.

Mr House told the Western Australian Cattle Industry Expo today that the cattle industries offered exciting possibilities for developing State exports into South East Asia.

He said WA would succeed in developing these markets if it maintained a reputation for consistency in supply and product quality.

He described the Cattle Industry Expo as an encouraging development which signalled to the trading world that the local cattle industry was focussing on those issues.

Organised by the United Beef Breeders Association and the Department of Agriculture, the expo is hosted by the Brunswick Agricultural Society, and is the largest event of its kind in Australia.

"Since its inception five years ago, it has become the premier cattle gathering on the State's show and sale calender," Mr House said.

"It is effectively an open-market approach based on quality.

"It is the only sale of its kind that sees the beef and dairy industries combining and bringing together all aspects of the cattle industry to exchange and update information."

This year, more than 200 quality lots from most breeds will be offered in the stud bull sale.

Strong emphasis is given to the breeding value of each animal and a panel of experts evaluates the genetic qualities and potential of each lot offered.

The use of breeding values as determined by the national breed plan program are encouraged and included for an increasing number of cattle sold.

"The emphasis on genetic quality has become an industry trademark at the Brunswick bull sales," the Minister said.

Mr House also paid tribute today to the Brunswick Agricultural Society for expanding and upgrading the showground facilities.

He said the complex, which included shedding for more than 400 cattle, a covered selling area and a new trade cattle yard, made the venue second to none in rural Australia.

Media contact: Dean Roberts 222 9595