Beef cattle have always been a personal love of mine but to see the efforts the Prime Lamb panel puts into its gala show day must bring delight to all involved in the industry.

This concept goes from strength to strength and becomes better and more rewarding every year.

There are so many outstanding features to this day, one is not sure where to start.  There are categories for Trade Weight Lambs (under 52kg), Export Weights (52 to 62kg), Heavy Exports (over 62kg). As in previous years, Roger Fletcher International steps up to the plate with a $500 prize for the most successful school entry.

The Sinclair Family presents the Paul Sinclair Memorial Trophy for the Grand Champion Hoof and Hook Pen.

Selected Breed societies reward their own members for their successes. Terry Michell advises 600 lambs have already been nominated. The event, presentations and charity auction start at 3pm on May 26.

Colin Hood, after a life-time of involvement with livestock, has kindly agreed to judge the DSSA most outstanding pen of lambs. This is an outstanding recognition to a long-standing servant of the industry.

He will be ably assisted by Ben Marlin (Elders), Tommy Pollard (PT Lord, Dakin & Associates) and Sam Christensen (CPS Thomas) who will also compete in the young gun Auctioneers competition selling 35 lambs for charity.  Sponsorship for this year now stands at $25,000, a figure ow which the committee should be proud. Special guest will be renowned vocalist Adam Brand, who may take part in the auction.

Ruralco, one of the major industry players, has announced a record profit for the six months to the end of March of $12.4 million, up 15 per cent.  Revenue rose by 4.4 per cent to $841.4 million.

Strong domestic livestock prices were key to this growth, supported by improved numbers in its live cattle export division where Vietnam and Indonesia are key destinations.

A company spokesman said opportunities were slowly being created in China but quarantine issues and the soaring prices of Australian cattle continued to thwart efforts.

He suggested prices may have to fall some 20 per cent for our cattle to compete with cheap South American supplies.

This would not be music to the ears of producers.

While on the topic of financial reports, the Australian Agricultural Company (AA CO) has booked a strong result to the end of March. Net profit rose 5.6 per cent from $67.8 million to $71.6 million.

AA CO reduced production costs by 27 per cent.

AA CO continues to focus on the luxury end of the market and will take a foothold in the top end of the Taiwanese market this June after a successful launch in Singapore late last year.