It was a triumphant return to the ring for Raglan Brahmans on Thursday, when the well-known central Queensland stud completed the judging schedule with both broad ribbons on offer.
The pure Grey Brahman genetics shone out for judge Glen Pfeffer, who awarded Raglan Miss Danyel the grand champion Brahman cow of the show, while Raglan Mr Mason became the grand champion Brahman bull of the show.
One of the younger Olive generations, Aimee Olive, who paraded Mr Mason to his victory, said that after his win as the junior champion Brahman bull at the Ekka last year, they were ecstatic to see him progress so well to the senior class.
“We can’t wait to see the quality of his progeny now,” she said.
Weighing 1022kg, the 28-month-old bull was the second-heaviest in the ring, giving away 18kg to Olive Monarch, who became the reserve senior champion bull in the older age categories.
This win is the culmination of a string of wins for homebred Raglan Mr Mason, who collected ribbons earlier in the year at Rockhampton and Marlborough shows, and twice at Monto, at the Brahman feature and at the regular show.
Raglan Miss Danyel is from a long line of show winners, including her mother Raglan Dana and her grandmother Raglan Donna.
It was her first major win of the year and according to stud principal, Roxanne Olive, her new calf at foot made the difference this time.
“She’s a feminine-looking young female producing calves at a young age and that’s what buyers want.”
Dubbo breeder, Colin Tink showed the reserve champion senior cow, BT Aria, sired by Kenrol Sandman.
He had more luck in the younger ribbon contest, taking out the junior champion heifer prize with BT Aria 2ND, another of Sandman’s progeny.
Raglan Miss Vee was the reserve.
Scott and Vicki Hayes, Yenda stud, Mundubbera rounded out the ribbons when they won the junior champion bull award with Yenda V Duke, sired by Jdh Riddell Manso.
Duke weighed 772kg and had an eye muscle area of 126sq cm.
Roxanne, who first showed at the Brisbane Ekka with Yenda Brahmans, said it had been a great feeling to exhibit this year with her sisters, Vicki Hayes, and Kathryn Mortimer, one half of Token Brahmans.
Numbers were slightly down on last year, which Australian Brahman Breeders Association CEO, Rob Biddle said may be due to Beef Expo 2018 plans.
“Probably people are preparing for that, plus we’ve had two large feature shows this year and a lot goes into preparing for those,” he said.
Judge Glen Pfeffer said there had been a tremendous lineup showing a variety of types for different markets, which was a challenge to judge, but he used bottom dollar needs to guide him.