Belmont Red statue would be "long time coming" for Rockhampton says breed society

However, there are now calls for another Australian-grown cattle breed, which holds historical value to the Rockhampton region, to be officially recognized with a statue.

The Belmont Red breed society believes it's now time a bull statue of their own is planted in the town in which the breed was conceived, more than 60 years ago.

The breed was scientifically developed at the CSIRO Belmont Research Station in the early 1960s as a composite breed using Africander (African Sanga) and Hereford-Shorthorn.

A breed that was originally rejected by the traditional cattle industry in 1968, Belmont Red's breed society president and breeder Jeanne Seifert believes the statue would be a great focal point for people visiting the city, as well as special nod to the contribution that the CSIRO and scientists' made at the time.

Mrs Seifert's father, Dr George Seifert, was a principle research scientist at the CSIRO Belmont Research Station, helping to develop the breed composition.

"The Belmont Red is one of the first cattle breeds developed in Australia and rigorously tested for all of the traits of economic importance for Northern Australia," Mrs Seifert said.

"CSIRO Rockhampton was really a leader in that space at the time and they were charged with finding an animal, adapted to the harsh Australian conditions.

"It's a long time coming for a Belmont Red statue. It should have been a mascot for Rockhampton and a nod of respect to the CSIRO and the scientists who developed it."

Currently, there is a Santa Gertrudis, Droughtmaster, Braford, Romagnola and two Brahman bull statues maintained by the local Rockhampton Regional Council.

Want daily news highlights delivered to your inbox? Sign up to the Queensland Country Life newsletter below.