THE SPENCE FAMILY

Spence's Show Steers was delighted to see the success of North Ulandi Stud at the 2022 Royal Melbourne Show winning Champion Domestic Steer and Reserve Champion Heavy Domestic Steer on the hoof. The Champion steer on the hoof went on to win Champion Lightweight Carcase and also won the Steer Bonanza Both these steers were purchased from Spence's Show Steers.

For Jono Spence the led steer competition at the Royal Adelaide Show is held very close to his heart, where it all began for him as a school student in 1988 with his first experience of showing steers. This has proven to be a gateway to the livestock industry for Jono who has seen a career of now 30 years in the industry.

Jono attributes much of Spence's Show Steers success to the influence of the Mandayen herd run by Damian and Mandy Gommers.

“I was very fortunate to meet Damian around 20 years ago as a young stock agent buying Limousin bulls, I could see then that he had a passion and keen eye for Limousin cattle but at that stage I had no idea the scale of the Limousin operation he would build”.

Jono also attributes his influence into Limousin cattle, coming from working with Tim Bayliss (Baylim) and The Evans Family (Weston Park Stud) during the 90’s. “That was great experience and wonderful times and both families remain friends of mine for life "

For Spence's Show Steers preparation for the next show begins as they pack up from the current show. We are never not thinking of the future and what’s next "I am sure the kids get sick of me saying that Show day is just one day, the other 200 days matter just as much", Jono said.

The Spence family attribute much of their preparation success to showing at the South Australian Junior Heifer Expo. We feel this gives our cattle a great experience to adjust and both exhibits and handlers a great learning curve to show life.

The effort is a team effort between Jono and his partner Kylie, Jono’s children Thomas and Zanna and Kylie’s son Tom

The kids absolutely love it and have made so many friends and gained valuable experiences, and I am so lucky to have a partner in Kylie who loves all animals.

Whist she has plenty of experience with horses, she has turned her hand to feeding show steers very quickly.

A lifelong dream came true for Jono in 2021 when he purchased a property ‘Elmoro’ situated at Keith, SA that has now become home to the breeding herd for Spences Show Steers.

Moving forward we would love to continue to breed show steers for other people to enjoy the experience, friendships and achievements we have had along the way.