Longreach Show commercial cattle wins to Wynn Downs, Alice Downs

The heifers were an entry from Alice Downs at Blackall and manager Andrew Petersen said it was great recognition for their breeding aims.

Previously the manager of Portland Downs at Isisford, Mr Petersen said he'd often worked for the Longreach Show and was keen to support country shows where he could.

"It's good to get out there and show what our breeding is doing too," he said.

Alice Downs was also the most successful cattle exhibitor on the grounds.

Commercial cattle steward Dean Allen said this year's competition had been their most successful since kicking off in 2018, when the stud cattle section lacked numbers.

Some 18 entries were received then and again in 2019, both drought years, but that was boosted to 49 head this year, made up of 12 pens of three, in both heifer and steer classes, and 13 pens of single entries.

Nutrien Western's Jeremy Barron was the judge.

Barry and Julie Eggerling from Wynn Downs south of Longreach showed both the champion single steer and the reserve.

The champion entry weighed in at 660kg as a two-year-old bullock and was bred from a Droughtmaster bull and a Santa Gertrudis cow.

For Mr Eggerling, it was a welcome return to the winner's circle in the show ring.

He said they'd had lots of success with their cattle in days gone by, but drought had stopped them exhibiting for a number of years.

"We've had four good years now though," he said. "This is the best of them - five inches for summer and the creek ran seven times."