Reflections from the 2025 Feeder Steer School 2.0 Scholars
The Angus Foundation is committed to empowering the next generation of beef industry leaders, and through the Feeder Steer School 2.0 Scholarship, we provided Troy Hagenbach and Ella Crowhurst with the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience at the University of New England (UNE) in Armidale, NSW, from February 10-13, 2025.
This intensive three-day program covered key topics such as genetic selection, animal health, carcass value, and risk management, equipping attendees with the tools to make informed decisions and drive innovation in the beef industry.
Troy and Ella have now completed their Feeder Steer School journey and are eager to share their insights, key learnings, and how this experience has influenced their future aspirations. In the following reports, they reflect on their time at the school, the valuable takeaways from industry leaders, and how they plan to apply their newfound knowledge to their own operations.
Read on with Troy and Ella as they recap their Feeder Steer School experience!
The Feeder Steer School, run by the University of New England (UNE), provided an in-depth look at the entire feeder steer production process. Covering all stages of the production system, from genetic selection before birth to the final product on the shelf, it offered valuable insights into both the practical and business sides of the industry.
A key aspect that I enjoyed from the program was its focus on the growth and management stages during the grass-fed stage of the system, emphasizing key animal health, nutrition, and welfare practices that would enhance a farm that targets the ‘feeder steers’ productivity. These factors directly impact feedlot performance and the final beef quality. The program also provided valuable information on how to optimize performance once cattle leave the farm.
An especially valuable component of the course was the involvement of the Woolworths representative, who gave insights into the meat buyer and consumer perspective. This session clarified how beef selection and processing steps work, offering producers a better understanding of what influences consumer purchasing decisions. As a producer, this insight helped bridge the gap between raising cattle and meeting market demands.
Another highlight was the live cattle assessment display by Angus Australia’s Jake Phillips, accompanied by a discussion on EBVs. This presentation gave producers the tools to select cattle that align with feedlot and supermarket requirements. It allowed me to better understand how to match consumer preferences and market demands with the right genetics, ensuring more targeted selection decisions.
Overall, the Feeder Steer School equipped producers with valuable knowledge on improving cattle selection and management practices. It also offered a better understanding of how to meet consumer preferences and market needs, making it a highly informative and practical experience for producers.
I am deeply grateful to Angus Australia for the scholarship that enabled me to attend. The experience left me feeling better equipped as an Angus breeder, with the knowledge to enhance my own system and fully leverage the breed’s potential in the feeder steer production process.
Having been extremely fortunate to be awarded an Angus Australia Scholarship, I attended the UNE Feeder Steer School 2.0 from February 10 to 13, 2025, at UNE’s Armidale campus in New South Wales. The event started on Monday night with a check in and dinner. Throughout the course of the event, the group meals proved to be invaluable, providing an opportunity to meet and converse with like-minded people.
The school presented an inclusive learning environment with attendees from all over Australia and the diversity of attendees contributed a wealth of experience and knowledge. It was interesting to talk to other students with varying experience from smaller herds of 15 to 20 cows, to those with herds of thousands and also gain an insight into the processing and feedlot operations. My strong interests in Angus genetics together with optimising profitability made the learning experience extremely relatable.
On Tuesday, the first half of the day consisted of lectures given by MLA, Teys and Woolworths, who provided a positive view of the market, anticipating high demand from both local and export markets. It is believed that the US will have a considerable shortfall of beef, in the region of 100 tonnes in 2025, presenting a great opportunity for Australia. This was followed by LLS representatives and Agronomist researchers providing further lectures on improving the production potential of pastures to gain maximum benefit for livestock.
During the afternoon, a series of workshops were conducted, including visually assessing cattle for replacement heifers, selecting bulls and matching feeder steers to suitable markets. It was invaluable to hear the different opinions and views whilst all seeking similar outcomes.
Wednesday started with lectures in relation to the Feedlot Industry with guest speakers from Smithfield Cattle Company, Ranger’s Valley Feedlot and Apiam Animal Health. My main takeaways from these talks were how important healthy animals are throughout the supply chain, and the large influence high quality Angus cattle have for increased marketability and profit.
The second half of the morning covered transporting animals for maximum animal welfare and ease of handling, followed by talks from Brad Hine, Jake Phillips and Dr Alex Ball, discussing genomics for commercial producers, understanding how to use EBV’s and the benefits of fixed time AI to help herd rebuild. These topics were of particular interest as they are extremely relevant to my current role, all three speakers provided excellent knowledge and information which I will be able to use in my day-to-day activities.
During the afternoon, the knowledge gained from the morning session was put to use in selecting sires based on EBV data, learning more about low stress stock handling to ensure happier healthier cattle, therefore increasing profitability. We also discussed vaccination programs to suit individual operations.
Thursday, our final day, started with Michael Finucan from JBS, discussing how genomics is now contributing to selection of high-quality Angus to increase future marbling potential, since Japan is now their largest grain fed export country.
Throughout the remainder of the morning, we heard about increasing sustainability for the agriculture industry, along with Dr Brad Wamsley speaking about the Southern Multibreed project. We also heard from Dave Packer from MLA, gaining a better understanding of MSA market criteria, which was invaluable and very interesting.
To finish off a great few days, Pete McGilchrist broke down a side of a carcase, whilst weighing and describing cuts of beef which was very informative.
I really enjoyed my time at the UNE Feeder Steer School 2.0 and cannot thank everyone involved enough. I would highly recommend the course to anyone in the beef cattle industry for the opportunity it provided to not only gain knowledge and experience but also to meet and form relationships throughout all areas of the industry.
