BEEF cattle may have become the poor cousin to mutton and prime lambs as beef prices hover near their lowest for more than two years.
But during periods of price downturn, high-performing genetics become even more important, and South Australia's committed commercial producers will have one of their best-ever chances to replenish their sire battery this bull-selling season.
A combination of cheap grain and lower saleyard feeder cattle prices is also enticing feedlotters to increase their numbers of cattle on feed, helping hold up recent weaner sales.
The December Australian Lot Feeders' Association /Meat & Livestock Australia quarterly survey shows the nation's feedlots are still running at only 61 per cent capacity, but the total is up 4pc to 770,000 head.
Next Friday, the 2010 CGU South Australian Beef Field Days kicks off with 72 studs representing 14 different breeds, showcasing their breeding programs over four days ? including four debut participants.
Numbers have shrunk for the opening day, with just six studs open in the Mid North, but in the South East ? the seedstock epicentre ? there will be more than 50 studs to visit on February 8 and 9.
Newly-elected SA Beef president Jean Evans said beef prices might have dropped in recent months, but she was confident they would regather speed. The world economy already showed signs of recovery, and good summer rain across northern Australia and an abundance of feed in southern Australia.
"Short-term, they are saying it is not too good, but beef is a staple food and you won't wean people off beef in my lifetime," she said.
"The world financial crisis also seems to be levelling-off and we have seen really good rains in some of the worst drought-affected parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Northern Territory, so they will be restocking to the best of their ability, which will create demand for beef."
Commercial cattle producers would still be looking for good quality stock and SA was "producing seedstock to rival any in Australia" across many breeds.
Both major selling agents Elders and Landmark are forecasting similar clearance rates and averages as in 2009 sales, when 1208 bulls sold in an 82pc clearance for a $3541 average.
Elders stud stock manager Tom Penna said that despite trade prices being flat, South East and western Victorian weaner sales had yielded better-than-expected prices and those breeders would be looking to invest in good genetics to maintain their straight lines of calves.
"We have seen it in sheep and it is continuing through to cattle ? that those in the livestock game want to do it well and place significant emphasis on sire selection," he said.
Landmark stud stock manager Malcolm Scroop said he had also really noticed the high quality of bulls this year, starting with cows rearing better calves in 2008 and a more favourable season in 2009 ensuring they grew-out well.
"The bulls we have got coming forward are very even and eyecatching," he said.
Pastoral enquiry, which has the potential to underpin many sales success, has come from Alice Springs, the Birdsville Track and to a lesser extent around Broken Hill after recent rain.
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