Ken Skews, of Tambo Valley Beef, is expecting a good result for the Ensay sale with additional marketing information available for buyers.
A yellow eartag boldly printed with Tambo Valley Beef will set apart the Hereford and Hereford cross cattle at this year’s Ensay Calf Sale.
Tambo Valley Beef has been announced as the new branding for the Ensay Producers Group, a grass roots network in Victoria’s Gippsland regional aimed at building alliances beyond the farm gate.
The group was formed four years ago by vendors at the Ensay Calf Sale to gain a premium by better promoting their weaners to buyers visiting the Mountain Calf Sales.
Co-convenor Barry Newcomen, of Ensay, said Tambo Valley Beef was chosen as the new name to recognise members from Swifts Creek, Tambo Crossing and Bindi.
Mr Newcomen said group members hoped a new website would be ready for launch in time for the calf sale on March 16.
“Calves sold by members this year will have a special yellow eartag stamped with Tambo Valley Beef, an ID number and the vendor’s name,’’ he said.
“Wherever these eartags pop up at saleyards around Australia, buyers will now they are well-bred cattle from this region.
“We will also have pen cards with additional information on health treatments, along with the sale catalogue.’’
Mr Newcomen said rain in the traditional buying areas of Gippsland and Victoria’s north east augered well for the sale.
“The calves will be the heaviest in years and the sale should be good.’’
Co-convenor Ken Skews, Ensay, said the group acted as a link between store cattle producers and the end users – backgrounders, steer finishers, lot feeders and processors.
In the past, a four-page marketing brochure has been produced by the group for the annual calf sale, introducing the vendors and outlining the cattle on offer.
The group’s annual dinner will be held on the Tuesday, March 15 at the Ensay Winery enabling producers to meet the buyers and their clients.
Guest speaker this year will be adventurer Tim Cope, with the dinner featuring grassfed Hereford beef provided by a Tambo Valley Beef member.
“We are having a fabulous season – absolutely unbelievable with green grass as far as we can see,’’ Mr Skews said.
He said the good seasonal conditions meant some vendors elected to carry calves forward, resulting in a reduced yarding for Ensay.
Mr Skews said weights were expected to be heavier, with some vendors rating their Hereford calves as the best ever.
“They will be all well handled with all the health treatments and the information visible to buyers.’’