FAR north Queensland seedstock producers brought commercial reality to the region’s cattle industry with a quality lineup of bulls and females at the inaugural Tableland Stud Cattle Show and Sale on the weekend.
Judge Gary Noller, Gunnadoo Charolais, Oakey, praised the committee behind the initiative.
“I think the event is trying to a bring commercial aspect to a seedstock event and I really enjoy that fact,” Mr Noller said.
“We’ve been up a number of years and there’s been a great improvement in cattle not only in growth but meeting market specifications.
“I know we talk about seedstock but if we are not doing the right job in the seedstock end then we are not doing the right job for the commercial guys to produce.”
In the unled section – a first for the region – 642kg Droughtmaster bull, Chilverton 5109, took out supreme champion unled stud exhibit and grand champion unled bull of show, with Murray Grey cow Lindsay Debra crowned the grand champion unled female of show.
Mr Noller said the ribbon winners displayed structural soundness, fertility and commercial suitability.
“We had a nine-year-old cow that looked like she was five,” Mr Noller said. “The longevity that she brings to the equation, I really admire. It epitomises all we are looking for in the commercial arena.
“The bull competed against a big European bull and at 21 months of age he was not the heaviest but he had muscle width, all the herd sire appeal under the sun and presence and balance.”
In the led section, supreme champion led stud exhibit went to Murray Grey cow Gadgarra Betty, which also collected the grand champion led female of show.
Warrina Zambia, Warrina Droughtmasters, was crowned grand champion led bull of show.
Mr Noller said the two top animals were complementary.
“The bull epitomises what we look for in terms of muscle and degree of finish and all importantly, he had fertility, and feet and leg traits,” Mr Noller said.
“He had a great package.
“The structural soundness of the Murray Grey female was great. She had long head and shoulders and very feminine.”
Mr Noller said the heifer which took out the commercial section had a “perfect body”.
“Her fat distribution would be near perfect.”