The Speckle Park cattle breed’s commercial attributes will be put under the spotlight the information day called, ‘Why Speckle Park?’, at Yeoval on February 15.

The Canadian breed is in its 12th year in Australia and while its distinct black and white coat markings give the breed visual appeal, it is what’s underneath that has caught the beef industry’s attention in recent years.

Speckle Park-infused cattle have been regular place-getters in the hook component of school steer competitions and at feedlot trials across the country, including the Brisbane RNA Paddock to Plate and Beef Spectacular Feedlot Trials.

JAD Speckle Park principal, Justin Dickens, ‘Greenvale’, Yeoval, said there were now more registered Speckle Park cattle in Australia than in Canada, and large commercial beef breeders were adopting the breed into their programs.

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Mr Dickens, who is also a board member of the breed society, Speckle Park International (SPI), said he and wife, Amy, bought their first Speckle Park bull in 2012, and continued to be impressed by the breed in their commercial operation, so much so that in 2016 they started a stud using imported Canadian embryos.

They were now preparing for their first sale and wanted to host this information day as an opportunity for people to share their experiences and learn more about what was still a relatively new breed to Australia.

Speakers at the Why Speckle Park? Information Day will include Berry Reynolds from Mort & Co, Toowoomba, to talk about the breed’s performance in feedlots, Robert Constable from Robert’s Meats, Singleton, to provide a butcher’s perspective, and Nyngan producer, Jack Carter, “Innaminna”, who will present his on-farm experiences with the breed. 

In addition, there will be a speaker to explain how Speckle Park was being applied as dairy beef, New Zealand Speckle Park stud and commercial breeder, Mark McKenzie, Maungahina Stud, Masterton, will provide the NZ experience, and leading beef consultant, Dick Whale, will provide the day’s ‘final word’.

The ‘Why Speckle Park? Information Day’ will be held at Yeoval, from 10am to 3pm on February 15.

Cost is $10 per person, with barbecue lunch provided. Please RSVP by February 12.

Register online at Eventbrite or call Amy Dickens at (0427) 464 333.