Steers on Lardner Park. Photo: Lardner Park website
The Lardner Park grassfed steer trial is this year celebrating 50 years of competition, with entries to close at the start of June. In anticipation for the milestone, the organisers of the competition have put together this contributed article looking at the competition’s history, which has navigated the ever evolving demands of the beef industry.
A Foundation in Innovation
In the heart of Gippsland, where rolling hills meet vibrant pastures, a story of dedication, innovation, and community spirit has unfolded over the past 50 years. The Lardner Park Grass Fed Steer Trial, Australia’s only event of its kind, has become a hallmark of excellence in the beef production industry, reflecting both the quality of grass-fed beef and the collaborative efforts of those involved in its evolution.
This significant anniversary not only celebrates the trial’s rich history and accomplishments but also acknowledges the tireless support of sponsors and industry participants who have contributed to its success.
The origins of the steer trial can be traced back to 1973 when the first competition associated with beef cattle was conducted at the Lardner Park field days. After two years of meticulous breeding trials involving 90 heifers—30 Jersey, 30 Friesian, and 30 Angus, all mated with a Hereford bull—the groundwork was laid for a trial that would later become integral to the local community and the Australian beef industry.
Cuts of meat were available for inspection, drawing attention to the potential of locally sourced beef and setting the stage for the future of the event.
The Early Competitions
The first official carcass competition commenced in 1975, attracting 25 eager entrants. This event marked a turning point in the venture; it was no longer just a demonstration of animal husbandry, but a bona fide competition that awarded prizes based on live weight gain and carcass merit.
The steers were weighed for the first time that August, and following a period of anticipation, they were slaughtered just in time for the 1976 field days. As the industry began to embrace this new approach, the trial ignited a competitive spirit among beef producers, fostering an environment of learning and excellence.
As the event matured, so too did the format and objectives. By the mid-1980s, the Steer Trial began to emphasize more than just weight and carcass quality. A new direction was designed to align the cattle selections with market demands—producers were encouraged to select cattle specifically intended to meet market requirements.
This innovative concept opened new avenues for learning and adaptation, crucial in a constantly evolving agricultural landscape. In October 1985, 24 steers were officially entered, showcasing not just quality beef, but the ability to respond to market needs.
Expanding Horizons
Over the years, more industry partners recognised the importance of the Steer Trial. In the 1987/88 season, the competition expanded further when it garnered joint sponsorship from key players, including Gallagher RSM, Gilbertson Greenham, Elanco, and Hoechst.
At this point, producers could enter steers at a nominal fee, allowing them to run alongside their peers at Lardner Park until the final judging based on both live weight and carcass quality.
Public weigh-ins every six weeks helped engage the community, with guest speakers educating participants on topics of interest during the trial.
In just one year, the proceeds from the sale of the stock yielded approximately $6000 for both the field days and the owners, underscoring the financial significance of the trial. This development was pivotal, as it established the steer trial not merely as a competition but as a critical platform for educational dialogue and community-building.
The competitive landscape grew even more vibrant in the early 1990’s, with the 1992-93 trial featuring 84 steers. This year marked a notable shift as it allowed for two turn-off dates—one for local consumption and the other targeting the lucrative Japanese export market.
These changes reinforced the trial’s reputation, emphasizing the essential skills required in correctly judging the conformation and growth rate of cattle, while also delivering insights into market demands.
The Steer Trial’s reputation continued to grow, attracting leading beef producers eager to participate. Success in the competition was not only financially rewarding but also prestigious, with winners gaining recognition both locally and nationally.
In 1990, the stakes were raised when prizes included a trip for two to the USA, further incentivizing participation and drawing attention to the high standards set by Lardner Park’s competitors.
But the Steer Trial was more than just a competitive event; it played an essential role in improving communication between beef producers and meat processors.
As market demands became increasingly selective, fostering effective dialogue between these two groups was necessary to ensure the promotion of high-quality grass-fed beef and to mitigate issues related to market fluctuations.
Exploring New Frontiers
The early research and explorations into cattle futures contracts during the early 1980s reflect the pioneering spirit of the community. The field days experimented with this new financial instrument as a hedge against stock value fluctuations.
Their ventures resulted in entering the futures market with a contract for $10,000, marking an interesting, albeit complex, chapter in the trial’s history. They eventually opted to exit the contracts at a favourable point in 1983, garnering a net profit of $2000.
Despite the experiment’s limited practicality, it highlighted the willingness of the Lardner Park community to explore new avenues in the agricultural sector. The comparison of traditional beef production practices with innovative financial approaches underscored the adaptability of the local farming community.
Navigating Challenges
In the late 1990s, the number of entries soared to a record high of 74 pair of cattle during the 1996/97 trial.
However, this surge in participation was met with a significant challenge: a poor season for grass growth led to inadequate weight gains for many steers. This experience prompted the organisers to reevaluate the number of steer entries, ultimately establishing a more realistic and sustainable level of participation conditioned by seasonal pasture growth.
The transition to a singular “one-turn-off” competition came about around 2016 when Lardner Park began hosting the popular Beyond the Valley music festival, occurring in late December each year.
This scheduling change necessitated the steers to be transported to the abattoir prior to the event setup, reinforcing the importance of adapting to new circumstances while maintaining the trial’s integrity.
The endurance of the Steer Trial through various droughts and setbacks—including the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which put a halt to many local agricultural events—exemplifies the resilience and determination of the agricultural community.
Each challenge faced served as a learning opportunity, inspiring producers to innovate and adapt to ensure the continuity of the trial.
The Role of Sponsors
While the progression of the Lardner Park Grass Fed Steer Trial is a testament to the commitment of producers and participants, it would be remiss not to recognize the invaluable support of sponsors over the years.
The unwavering contributions of various industry partners have been paramount in ensuring the success and sustainability of the trial. From the very earliest days of the trial, organisations including G & K O’Connor Abattoirs, Radford Abattoirs, Coles, and Agriculture Victoria joined the Lardner Park board to support trials that advanced the industry.
These sponsors have provided everything from logistical support and marketing advice to animal health products and technical guidance, enabling the trial to flourish in an increasingly competitive environment.
Without the resources and expertise offered by these sponsors, the Steer Trial would not be celebrating its 50th anniversary. In 2025, we are thrilled to partner with over 20 sponsors, whom all share a vision to enhance the local, state and national beef industry.
The dedication of each partner listed below, combined with the shared vision for excellence in grass-fed beef production, has allowed the trial to establish itself as a pivotal event in the Australian agricultural landscape.
The trial owes much of its enduring success and celebration of excellence to the unwavering support of its sponsors and partners. Sponsorship for the 2025 Steer Trial features an impressive lineup of organisations, each bringing unique strengths and insights to the table.
Among these, the Commonwealth Bank stands as one of our longest and highly valued partners, offering financial services tailored for the agricultural sector, including invaluable support as Strategic Partners. Whilst also assisting producers in managing their operations effectively. Their support is crucial for the ongoing financial viability of participants in the trial.
Similarly, Evans Petroleum, our longest standing strategic partner, contributes by providing essential fuel and energy solutions, helping ensure that operations run smoothly throughout the year, including service to many of the steer trial competitors and across the greater Gippsland region.
Another of our strategic partners, Baw Baw Shire Council plays a vital role in supporting local agriculture and fostering community engagement through the park, ensuring that initiatives such as the steer trial are recognized as integral parts of regional development.
Our partners at Tafe Gippsland are instrumental in building the future of agriculture by equipping local students with knowledge and skills relevant to the beef industry. As Australia’s only dedicated event of its kind, the steer trial relies on the commitment of community-minded partners like Warragul Toyota to ensure its success and longevity.
Lardner Park is proud to showcase the rural and rugged capability of Toyota vehicles across the property throughout the year with our enduring partnership with Andrew Moore. Similarly, the presence of WIN Television Network ensures that the local community stays informed and engaged through coverage of events at the property including the Steer Trial, thereby fostering greater participation and awareness.
Corporations like Coles reinforce the integration of the trial with broader market demands by offering market advice and support for purchasing carcasses, facilitating the pathway from pasture to plate.
The innovative animal management solutions provided by Gallagher Animal Management help optimize livestock management through advanced weighing and monitoring technologies, including providing expertise at each and every weigh-in, while Zoetis supports the health and welfare of the cattle through its animal health products, ensuring a focus on quality from start to finish.
Datamars Australia proudly supports the Steer Trial by supplying specially printed “Lardner Park Steer Trial” ear tags that allow us to track each animal, enabling better management of animal health and performance.
Specialty services and products provided by Barenbrug in pasture seed and agronomy expertise and Gibsons Groundspread in sustainable fertilizer contribute to the overall health and productivity of the property and cattle.
Meanwhile, Bramstedt’s Livestock Transport ensures the safe and efficient transportation of cattle, ensuring minimal stress and disruption to the animals throughout the trial process.
The partnership with Radfords Abattoir – Warragul stands out as one of the trial’s most significant legacies. Rod Radford has played a crucial role by offering invaluable support and industry insights while nurturing connections throughout the sector with people like Stephen Rennie who is Coles’ National Livestock Manager for Red Meat.
As a result of this collaboration, the trial now contributes to the Coles Grass Fed Beef program, backed by JBS Abattoirs.
This development underscores the importance of strong processing capabilities, facilitating close partnerships with producers and optimizing the potential of the beef harvested from the trial.
Organisations such as Agriculture Victoria offer technical support and expertise, ensuring that competition results are data-driven and relevant to market specifications and one of the trials, newest sponsors, Black Box Co bring technological advancements to livestock tracking and management, helping producers to leverage information for better decision-making and performance.
And finally, industry bodies, Food and Fibre Gippsland and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) provide marketing networks that broaden the reach of the trial, ensuring that the efforts of participants are celebrated and recognized at a larger scale and Performance Feeds rounds out this diverse group of sponsors, providing nutritional solutions tailored for optimal cattle growth and health.
In essence, the sponsors of the Lardner Park Grass Fed Steer Trial not only contribute financial support but also empower and equip participants to excel in the beef production landscape.
Their collective dedication to quality, sustainability, and community development has been instrumental in ensuring that the steer trial remains a pivotal event in Australian agriculture, celebrating its 50-year legacy of excellence in grass-fed beef production. Without the resources and expertise offered by these invaluable partners, the trial’s continued success and sustainability would not be possible.
A Community of Learning
At its core, the Lardner Park Steer Trial is not merely a competition; it represents a community dedicated to continued learning and growth. Agriculture Victoria has played a vital role in this learning process, providing the necessary expertise over the years to process raw data and facilitate competition results.
Competitors receive valuable information after weigh-ins every approximately 35 days, highlighting how participants can leverage these insights to enhance their production practices over time.
The trial’s awards, presented for various categories such as the Combined Weight Gain and Carcass Award, Highest Weight Gain Pair, and Highest Eating Quality (MSA Index) as a Pair, epitomize its commitment to recognizing excellence across multiple dimensions of beef production.
Such accolades not only honour individual accomplishments but also inspire a collective push for quality and sustainability.
Looking to the Future
As the Lardner Park Steer Trial prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, the focus turns to the future—an exciting prospect filled with potential. There have been discussions amongst organizers and sponsors regarding enhancements to the competition format to keep it relevant and engaging for new generations of beef producers.
New categories may emerge, reflecting current market trends and the growing focus on sustainability in agricultural practices.
The importance of attracting younger producers to participate cannot be overstated. Encouraging fresh ideas and innovative thinking will help ensure that the grass-fed beef industry remains vibrant and adaptable amid ongoing challenges.
The success of the Steer Trial is a shared responsibility, requiring collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders.
50 Years down, and the future is bright!
The Lardner Park Grass Fed Steer Trial stands as a beacon of excellence, courage, and community. Spanning half a century, it has witnessed growth, innovation, and the power of perseverance as it navigated changing landscapes and market demands.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary is not just about reflecting on past achievements, but it is also an opportunity to recommit to future endeavours in the realm of grass-fed beef production.
As the local community comes together to mark this milestone in 2025, we remember the farmers, producers, sponsors, and industry advocates who have contributed tirelessly to make the Steer Trial what it is today.
Each entry, each award, and each competition has woven the rich fabric of the Lardner Park legacy, creating a story worth celebrating—a story of grass-fed excellence that continues to inspire.
Through the combined efforts of all involved, the Lardner Park Grass Fed Steer Trial is poised to rise to new heights in the coming years, strengthening its foundation and ensuring its relevance in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.
Let’s embrace this 50th anniversary and look forward to the next chapter in the ongoing story of Australia’s premier grass-fed beef competition.
Together, we will strive for excellence, and together, we will continue this proud tradition of quality beef production in Gippsland and beyond.
