New look Shorthorn Sale for Calrossy

It’s not only what  is happening in the classroom that has been drastically changed by COVID-19, Calrossy Anglican School is also facing a lot of changes with what happens outside the classroom. The School runs its own Shorthorn Stud, Kamilaroi Shorthorns, and would now usually be preparing its bulls for judging and sale at the Dectomax National Shorthorn Show and Sale, held in Dubbo each June.

However, this year that has all changed with the Shorthorn Sale going online on June 10th. Calrossy, along with all of the other vendors, is faced with the dilemma of how to facilitate pre-sale inspection of the bulls, a crucial part of the bull purchasing process for potential buyers. On Friday May 22nd & Saturday May 23rdCalrossy, together with Nagol Park Shorthorns and Kingsley Vale Shorthorns, will be holding on-property viewing days at which the bulls may be inspected without violating existing social distancing laws.

All bulls that will be offered for sale at the National have also been professionally videod, and the videos are either currently available or will soon be available on-line.

“Although we are looking at quite a departure from the usual Dubbo Show and Sale format, an on-line auction is nothing new as far as the beef industry is concerned. The Shorthorn National live auction is in any case complemented by an online service that many buyers actually find preferable. Our challenge is to adjust to a fully on-line sale process, and the Viewing Days we have planned are in response to that” said Calrossy’s Tangara Farm Manager Geoff Nielsen.

While Calrossy might have to go the extra mile this year to sell its bulls, while not even leaving Tamworth, it’s well worth the effort. Kamilaroi Shorthorns forms part of the School’s highly acclaimed Agriculture program, which last year saw Calrossy students achieve the top three places in the State for HSC Primary Industries, and a second in the State for Agriculture.

“We are delighted that so many of our students have been able to return to school at this time. The breeding, selection, feeding, preparation and marketing of these bulls is fully integrated into the Primary Industries and Cattle Team programs at Calrossy – we as Staff simply oversee their activities. It’s great that the students are here to finish off the work and to see how it all plays out” said Mr Nielsen.