DALBY came alive last Saturday, when the first-ever JBS Combined Feedlot Community Campdraft brought together feedlot teams, families and local supporters for a weekend of competition, community, and celebration.

The invitational event drew more than 180 entries from feedlots across the western and southern Downs and well into NSW, with competitors taking part in the Feedlot Teams Draft, Novice Draft, and Cut Out.

Competitors from JBS’s own feedlots at Beef City, Prime City and Caroona vied for the trophies with staff from other yards that supply JBS with grainfed cattle. Other teams came from AA Co Aronui, Wonga Plains, Condabri, Smithfield, Yarranbrook, Roxborough, Lemontree and Silverbrook  feedlots.

“The opportunity to hold the first Community Feedlot Campdraft was a great way to bring together all of our feedlot producers and their staff, who support our grain fed programs tremendously” said Scott Minnikin, manager of feedlots livestock at JBS.

Mr Minnikin said the event was a perfect way to bring people together while celebrating the skills and passion of those working within the feedlot industry.

“Our teams are passionate about what they do. Cattle and horses are a big part of their daily lives both at work and at home, and testing their skills in the campdraft arena is something they all enjoy.”

JBS Northern chief operating officer Brendan Tatt said the turnout exceeded expectations and highlighted the strong sense of connection within the feedlot and regional communities.

“As Australia’s largest lotfeeder and beef producer, the grainfed beef industry and supply chain that feeds it is instrumental to us as a business and to the livelihood of those who work in the feedlot industry. To be able to host an event that brings everyone together as a community is a great initiative to be able to support,” Mr Tatt said.

Thanks to the generosity of event sponsors, JBS announced a $10,000 donation to CareFlight, helping fund vital emergency services across regional Queensland.

“We’re proud to support the work CareFlight does, and this event gave us a great platform to do that while also celebrating the people behind our business,” Mr Tatt said.

There are already plans underway to bring the event back next year, building on the success of its debut.

“We’d love to make this an annual event,” Scott Minnikin said. “It’s a great way to recognise and celebrate the people in the feedlot industry and the hard work they do – day-in, day-out”.

Special thanks to the judges who donated their time over the weekend: Michael Lancaster (Teams event and Cut-Out Judge) and Billy Sheppard (Novice Judge).

Results:

Team Draft Winners

1st: Silverbrook #1 scoring 365 points – Matt Edwards, Claire Waugh and Peter Yeomans

2^nd: Smithfield #2 scoring 355 points – Ian Halstead, Sandra Hagan and Wayne Accornero

3^rd: JBS Dinmore #2 scoring 324 points – Troy Palmer, Craig Sheppard and Joel Hill

Novice Draft Winners

1^st: Trent Sheppard on Bellvue Dream Spiner scoring 178

2^nd: Will Drury on Coolreagh Groomsman scoring 174

3^rd: Richard Sadler on Kirkbys Stud Dr Who scoring 170

4^th: Timothy Mitchell on Coquon Storm scoring 168

5^th: Pip Mcnamee on Perkins Rhianna scoring 165

Equal 6^th: All scoring 164 points – Phoebe Wild on Hell Of A Nip; Richard Blanch on Chocolate; Darcy Minnikin on Playboys Destiny.

Cut Out Winner

Matthew Porter on Porters Hollywood Dream scoring 24 and 22 points

Encouragement Award

Kali Ellem from Lemontree Feedlot, who received a hand-made stock whip donated by Alice and Darren Marks of Winvic Pastoral.

Team Draft First Place – Silverbrook #1 and CareFlight donation

Second place, teams draft, Smithfield feedlot

Team Draft Third Place – Dinmore #2

Competitors line up for the community draft

Cut Out Winner Matthew Porter on Porters Hollywood Dream, with JBS’s Brendan Tatt and Scott Minnikin

Teams draft winners – Silverbrook