Comp reveals gate to plate

The integral WA beef supply chain from farmer to consumer will be analysed at the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Challenge in Albany next week.

Students and producers will learn the latest information on the cattle market, breeding and how to achieve the best results for demand.

The Albany Agricultural Society event, to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, is the only one of its kind in WA. There are 66 teams registered to compete.

Organiser Sheena Smith said the competition started because of a lack of understanding of the supply chain and its requirements.

“This is only possible with the whole involvement of the industry,” she said.

“Producers have not had a platform to compare their breed choices against others for profitably.

“The challenge generates real data for performance and profitability from the feeder, processor, MSA grading and retailers grid.

“The data is a tool for producers to make educated business decisions on herd genetics and improvements.”

The competition will include 55 different breed combinations, from pure-bred animals to cross-bred.

Eight schools are competing, including Denmark Ag College, Mt Barker Community College, Kojonup High School and Great Southern Grammar. GSG principal Mark Sawle said the school bought three competing animals from local producers, this year securing two pure-bred Gelbviehs and a Gelbvieh composite steer.

Ms Smith said the challenge recognised youth were the future of food production.

“We as producers need to engage and provide opportunities to keep them rather than lose them to other industries,” she said. Visit gate2platechallenge.com.au.