Square Meaters News

Click on the links below for full details. If you have items you wish included please contact Cheryl Mott.

Qld Group Get together and Christmas break- up
The Qld Group is having their Christmas break-up and a group meeting at Vesco Square Meaters on Saturday the 3rd. December starting at 11am. All Square Meaters enthusiasts and interested parties are welcome to come along. On the agenda will be the Toowoomba show & sale and also to select a date, a venue and an instructor for our next Training /Educational Day to be held early in the new year. As well as our usual raffles (please remember to bring along your donation for this) we will also be raffling a show halter.to raise funds for the 2012 Toowoomba Feature Breed Show. On the day ,as another fund raising effort, we will be offering a hamburger or sausage burger plus a drink for $5-00. Please pack you your Christmas spirit and come along. You will be welcome.

For directions or more details, please contact
Jo van Elten
07 5426 8137
or jvanelten@bipgond.com

The Southern NSW Breed Promotion Group would like to invite you to a social event to Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Square Meaters Breed.

Jamison Views Restaurant, Katoomba, Blue Mountains – Sat 26th November 12.30am
This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about how the breed was developed and learn some more about the history and meet other stud and commercial breeders. We've picked a lovely venue with views over the blue mountains, and have chosen a very simple set menu to keep the costs down. The food will be $35 a person.

Contact Brad Perry (02 4757 2004) by 6th November if you would be interested in attending.

Please inform us of any special dietry requirements so we can ask the restarurant to provide suitable alternatives.

Rosellinos Super Sunday Report 16-10-2011

2011 Perth Royal Results

2011 Royal Adelaide Results

2011 Brisbane Royal Results

Stud Classes for Toowoomba Royal Square Meaters Feature Breed

Mudgee Small Farm Field Days 2011

Livestock Transport Direct

Square Meaters cattle - Victorian Breeders Group
Formed on the 7th May 2011, the Vic Breeders Group welcomes anyone who is interested in Square Meaters cattle to join our informal Group for sharing of knowledge, training, support, and fun get-togethers. At only $20 per year, this is great value, and puts a little in the kitty for promotion of the breed in Victoria.
A very special thankyou to Glen and Julieanne Jackson of Glenholmme Square Meaters for conducting a Masterclass for Beginners at our inaugural meeting which generated loads of enthusiasm and got us of to a great start.

As breeders of Square Meaters, both Stud and Commercial, we have a motto ........"dont turn anybody away". .

So if you're interested in finding out about the Breed, or want to visit a farm in Victoria near you to view "Squares", then check out the website www.squaremeaters.com.au or phone Cheryl Mott at the SMCAA on 02 9834 4322. We will help you with information, show you prime animals for sale, and over a cup of tea (or coffee) give you a few pointers on what to look for when selecting and breeding Square Meaters.

Don't hesitate - a phone call costs almost nothing; we're always delighted to help out in any way we can, and you could be on your way to making one of the best cattle decisions you've made in quite a while!

For more information on the Victorian Breeders Group, please contact

Christina Ellnor

Tel: (03) 57747020 / 0403 851514

SQUARE MEATERS MASTERCLASS FOR BEGINNERS
What a great success! Square Meaters breeders and others interested in the Breed, converged on Misty Meadows on Saturday May 7th to attend the Square Meaters Masterclass for Beginners. They came from all over Victoria, and even ventured across the border from South Australia. True to its name, a heavy mist engulfed Misty Meadows early and hovered most of the day but this did not detract from the wonderful interactive learning process which took place during the Masterclass.

Glen Jackson, a highly respected cattle breeder and former Director of the Square Meaters Cattle Association of Australia, and his wife Julieanne, drove 900 kms from their property, Glennholme Square Meaters (ph: 02 6543 1413) in central NSW, to conduct the Masterclass in Taggerty, Victoria.
With many years of knowledge and experience behind him, Glen proceeded to give us the "practical nuts and bolts of cattle breeding specific to Square Meaters".

Glen started with the Murray Grey - Square Meaters breed history. "It's important to know where we come from and where we are going" he said. "Square Meaters are arguably the most successful cross breed programme ever initiated because each of the originial breed puts its best attributes into the new breed with heritable repeatability. " He went on to explain how to select elite performing cattle, how to visually evaluate animals for top performance, how to set up a proven and successful breeding program specifically for Square Meaters, correct measuring techniques, tattooing , and cattle identification.
A selection of bulls and heifers were in the cattle yard for the pratical demonstration of the principles he was teaching, with full hands-on participation from the attendees.

Glen then moved onto marketing, natural cattle care, stock health and in particular, the importance of minerals in cattle performance.
Mark Kemp, Square Meaters Breeder and Butcher, presented "What Butchers look for in a Carcass", knowledge which was truly welcomed by the Group.
So much enthusiasn was generated by the Masterclass that people were still standing around the cattle yard at 6.30 pm, in the dark, engaged in animated conversation!

About 20 folk stayed overnight in the area and we all went to dinner in Alexandra. It was an enjoyable evening, conspicuous by the continued enthusiasm for Square Meaters cattle, the Masterclass, and the newly formed Vic Breeders Group.
Many positive comments on the Masterclass have been received, for example :
"He (i.e. partner) gave it a 9 1/2 out of 10, and he usually doesnt go past a 7!"
"Thanks for organising such an amazing day..... enjoyed it immensely.....Glenn really knows his stuff"

"I loved the day -It was great to catch up with others doing what we are doing..............breeding beautiful animals with all the attributes the Squares have. The mix of sit down learning and hands on was great and the yummy food and chat time in between were excellent."
"Thanks again for hosting the event which I found both very pleasant and on the button."

"Thanks or organising and hosting the excellent day.... I t was really good to see so many new members and so much enthusiasm, it certainly bodes well for the future"

A very special thank you to Glen and Julieanne.

Christina and Paul

Heifer Draw
The Heifer Guessing Competition was drawn Sunday 15th at Hawkesbury Show in front of Square Meaters enthusiasts after the Square Meaters judging.

Thanks must go to the following supporters of the Association for their generous donation of the prizes.

CONGRATULATION TO
1 prize Winning Kelkette Nellie, KPM D31 due to calve to Kelkette Glenmore Y125 - Supported by Kelkette Stud, Yackandandah Vic

2nd prize Elite Embryo Sire Rainbow Zippity Doo Da, R Z50, Dam: Woolaringa Leane S18 - Supported by Chevy Farm, Bullsbrook WA

3rd Prize 10 straws Mandalong Ronald, SM R24A, Supported by Chevy Farm, Bullsbrook WA

4th Prize 10 Straws Liath Atholl Galashiels, JJQ S8A, Supported by Vesco Stud, Prenzlau QLD

Congratulations to all our winners. Your breeding program will be enhanced by utilising the above genetics.

Thank you to all our members supporting the Association in selling tickets in the Guessing Competition, especially Eric Ross, who managed to sell a whopping $1180 worth of tickets, giving him a $50 credit to use on Association services.

The funds raised will provide greatly needed resources to be directed in the promotion and marketing of the Square Meaters breed.

2011 Royal Melbourne Show Beef Cattle & Beef Carcase Competition – entries now open!

The 2011 Beef Cattle & Beef Carcase Schedule and Entry Forms are now available online for download at www.rasv.com.au and www.royalshow.com.au.

To be held from Saturday 24 September, and culminating with the All Breeds Beef Interbreed on Tuesday 4 October, the 2011 Show is shaping up to be one of the best yet!

This year we look forward to welcoming Angus breeders from across Australia to participate as the Feature Breed. Angus judging will take place on Friday 30 September.

The ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition will again be held during the Royal Melbourne Show. Please note that entries for this competition need to be entered using the Beef Carcase entry form. The proceeds of the 2011 Charity Steer, which will be auctioned during the Competition, will be donated to Herds of Hope, supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities.

New for 2011 is ‘Steers & Careers’. This afternoon program on Sunday 25 September is aimed at helping students explore a future career in agriculture, with presenters giving further insight into the beef supply chain from beginning to end, and the large variety of roles undertaken at each stage. The afternoon session is open to both exhibitors and visitors to the Show.

This year, the lockers will be situated in the Clydesdale Pavilion for greater security, exhibitor privacy and warmth. This change will open up the space between the Livestock Pavilion and the Main Arena for greater access and improved exhibitor facilities.

If you would like a printed copy of the Schedule and Entry Forms posted to you, please send Fiona your postal address details.

FEMALE AMNESTY
BEING a breeder of registered cattle carries with it many responsibilities.
As the principals of stud Square Meaters herds we have added duties to perform, and despite our best intentions sometimes we don’t all get around to registering cattle at the right time.

Your board recognises that time can be a thief and that seasons can conspire against members at varying times, and so has voted for an amnesty on late adult female registrations.

That means if you have females in your herd you didn’t register at 12 months of age you can now submit their adult registration and height details until the end of 2010 without incurring any additional financial penalty.

Any females over 21 months will be registered as B grades.

Call Cheryl at the office if you have any queries.

MEMBERSHIP FEES
Membership fees go a long way.
They pay for;
The administration of the Association
Extensive stud record keeping
Access to animal pedigree information
Provision of a unique prefix and tattoo
The promotion and advertising of the breed Marketing initiatives and assistance The organization of shows and the supply of trophies Liaison with show societies and beef industry groups.
The production of flyers and marketing material
The maintenance of the web site
Support for promotional groups
The provision of contact details for existing and new members.

Liaison with show societies and beef industry groups And access to breeder groups Being a financial member of the Square Meaters Cattle Association of Australia also allows you to attend the Annual general meeting, to nominate for the board of directors and to vote in elections and on issues of significance.

Perhaps most importantly your membership fees pays for one of our great strengths - the services of our secretary Cheryl Mott, who’s prompt and personal service and dedication to our collective and individual needs sets us apart from most other breed societies.

Your membership fees are a solid investment in the future of your herd and our breed.

MANNOSIDOSIS TESTING
With the new relaxed Mannosidosis testing regulation, a number of members are having difficulty carrying out the correct procedure. Please write the name and tattoo of the bull you are testing on both the laboratory application form and the paper bag / envelope you place your hair sample in to send to the laboratory for testing. If your result comes back without the bull’s tattoo being mentioned in the results, the test result has not direct correlation to anything and further information will be required, or in at worst case have to be carried out again.
It is imperative that the bull’s tattoo is noted on the test result.
Mannosidosis test application can be obtained from the office.

Omega 3 fatty acids and naturally raised Square Meaters
`The following paragraph was copied from Medscape Medical News, an American medical website on January 15, 2010. This excerpt referred to a study conducted at the University of Melbourne by a Dr Jacka and has implications for the breeding and raising of Square Meaters cattle for general consumption. Square Meaters cattle are well placed to take advantage of this information due to their early maturing pattern and the interest that many Square Meaters Breeders have in raising cattle that are naturally fed rather than feedlot fed. The excerpt is as follows:

According to Dr. Jacka, recent Australian studies show that a good proportion of
individuals' dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids actually comes from red meat.
"We've traditionally thought of omega-3s as only coming from fatty fish, but
actually good-quality red meat, that is, naturally raised, has very good levels
of omega-3 fatty acids, whereas red meat that comes from feedlots tends to be
higher in omega-6 fatty acids — a fatty acid profile that is far less healthy
and may in fact be associated with more mental health problems," she said.
The study was published online January 4 in the American Journal of Psychiatry.'

Emmberg Beef of Pittsworth is interested in obtaining Square Meaters cattle for their domestic meat trade. Weaners in the range of 300-350kg are ideal and can be sold direct to Emmberg Beef. Emmberg Beef is a family owned and operated business supplying sides of beef to their customers specifications. Emmberg beef delivers beef to households between Toowoomba and Brisbane and are keen to advertise the beef as being Square Meaters premium beef. For further information on Emmberg beef go to their web site www.emmbergbeef.com.au . Any Square Meaters breeders wishing to supply quality cattle to Emmberg Beef please either contact Emmberg Beef direct or also contact Peter Horne of Chipililo Square Meaters on 07 46422744 or 0429 302 310 for further information.

Super Square Sundays is modelled on the very popular Beef Week concept.

Breeders are opening their studs for one Sunday in April, May, September and October 2010, to let people find out first hand what Square Meaters are like in the paddock, to show off herds and to sell cattle in a no-obligation open day environment. People who are curious but don't want to be pressured in the same way, as they might be if they ring an individual member and ask to show them their herd.

To find out more, please click here.

MISTY MEADOWS
Misty Meadows Square Meaters Stud in NE Victoria has had a great spring, after a few rather disappointing years. Not only has the rain been coming down in steady patterns since June, we've had a lot of fun and success with our Square Meaters. A visit to the farm by Ernie and Fiona of the Woolaringa Stud inspired us to "get cracking" and spread the word in our area which is a very black angus valley, I might add. We decided to enter a pair of cows with calves at foot into the local Alexandra Show, Class 4 - Progeny most suitable for Feedlot or Domestic Market. Being first timers at this and with nerves rattling, cows bottom scrubbed, calves all shiny and cute, off we went. Could have blown us over with a feather when we won the Class!!! Everything else was won by angus cattle, but we'll be back in force next year.

Two weeks later on 29th November, we held our first Super Sunday open day - again loads of preparatory work but such good value. Once word got out about our Open Day those who had been thinking of buying our Square Meaters promptly did so prior to the day. We had visitors from NSW and regional Victoria including Kyneton, Kilmore, Mount Evelyn and our local area, with the potential of new customers and new friends.

Throughout all this, our "girls" kept on calving with 30 healthy new arrivals, sired by Yarra, Bob and Bounty. Check our website www.mistymeadows.com.au for pictures.

We wish everyone a very merry Christma holiday season, and a happy and successful 2010.

ROSELLINOS SUPER SUNDAY
HELD 18TH OCTOBER 2009

Some of the visitors, the Cows, the Calves, the Heifers, the Advertising and the cattle resting after the big day.

We had a wonderful day and thank the interested parties who visited us on the day.

Just a quick line to let you know that Gail and I have now a World Wide Web site that contains our up to date price lists etc. Feel free to pass on the site address www.themeatwagon.com.au to any of your friends or family should they be interested.

Toowoomba Ag Show.
Hain Rural Enterprises achieved 3rd place in the Ag Show carcass competition in a lineup of approximately 20 middle weight carcasses. This was after their Square Meaters steer had fallen off a badly made ramp while entering the Ag show site. The fall had an obvious affect on the steers finished carcass, yet, was still able to attain a placing in spite of the mishap. Congratulations to Paul and Ayleen Hain and also to Ashleigh Horne who exhibited the steer through the Pittsworth State High Schools Agricultural programme.

Angus Notes: Frame Score 4 popular in the USA
A few comments from a prominent Queensland Angus breeder are worth some consideration for Square Meaters breeders. The mentioned breeder has previously shown disdain for the Lowline end of the Angus spectrum and is a keen breeder of cattle in the larger frame size. However, in a recent newsletter from the Angus breeder in question; mention was made of a recent information and genetics gathering trip to the USA. To his surprise, much of the US Angus genetics now consists of cattle with a frame score of 4.

Brinsley Anzac SQM A!7
Sire Mandalong Son SM S20A
Dam Baldry Isabelle(AI) D U2A
DOB 16/08/05
Breeder Brinsley Pastoral Co, Freemans Reach NSW

Congratulations to Ashleigh Horne of Chipililo Stud for obtaining 2nd place in her group, at the 2008 Junior Judging program at the Canberra Royal Show.
SMCA are the sole sponsors of the RNCAS Junior Program. It is wonderful to see one of our own making such a great mark in the competition. Well done Ashleigh

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