THERE'S no greater honour than to win an interbreed champion broad ribbon at Beef Australia. Queensland Country Life found this report originally titled, Interbreed honours to Simmentals, Santas, in the archives.
MORE than 800 stud cattle enthusiasts crammed the Rockhampton showgrounds ringside vantage points as 15 judges made their deliberations for the coveted Queensland Country Life-sponsored interbreed bull, female and breeders group awards.
The spectacle was a fitting climax to the Bicentenary Beef 88 stud cattle exhibition.
Accolades for the Beef 88 celebrations which drew thousands of people to the nation’s undisputed ‘Beef Capital of Australia’ must go to Beef 88 Organising Committee chairman, Ken Coombe, Waverley, St Lawrence; secretary, John Croaker, Rockhampton and the nine sub-committees.
Twenty-six bulls from the 28 breeds represented at Beef 88 were judged on a one to 10 point scoring system assessed by 15 of the 17 individual breed judges.
The grand champion bull of Beef 88 and recipient of the Country Life trophy presented by general manager, Peter Hlywa, Brisbane, went to Harry M Miller’s Dunmore Simmental bull, Dunmore London Times.
The massive bull, scaling 1215kg and prepared by stud manager, Geoff Henderson, Manilla, NSW, beat his nearest rival by just four points from the combined judges’ scoring system.
Runner-up was the Brahman bull, Lancefield Indu Jester, shown by Jeff McCamley and family, Lancefield, Dululu. Third was D and AD Bassingthwaighte’s Yarrawonga Santa Gertrudis stud entry, Yarrawonga Xmas.
With the judging of the grand champion interbreed female, 14 judges pooled their votes to select the Santa Gertrudis breeder, Robenlea Nightingale, with a bull calf at foot as a clear-cut winner.
She was exhibited by Ron and Rob Sinnamon, Robenlea, Harlin.
Runner-up was the Mandalong Special female entered by breed founder, Rick Pisaturo, Mandalong Park, St Marys, NSW. She was Mandalong Moos, a 12-year-old with a bull calf at foot.
With the teams of three from all breeds jamming the judging arena for the Country Life interbreed champion exhibitor’s group, judges faced a tough assignment.
The result was another solid victory for the Santa Gertrudis breed with D and AD Bassingthwaighte’s Yarrawonga stud, Wallumbilla, claiming the trophy with 26 points. The team comprised the grand champion bull, Yarrawonga Xmas, reserve senior bull, Yarrawonga Yogi and reserve senior female, Yarrawonga Yvonne.
Taking second placing was the Simmental group shown by Keith and Doreen Nauschutz, Gold Park stud, Warra. Third was the Brahman trio from Ron and Bev White’s Wilangi stud, Wumalgi.
The May 9-14 Beef 88 International Conference coupled with the stud and prime cattle show and sale fixtures drew visitors from around the world and every Australian state and territory.
More than 500 people attended the conference sessions opened by Minister for Primary Industry and Energy, Mr Kerin.
The 28-breed stud beef display drew 1230 head - a national record. Seventeen judges operating in nine rings. The judging day was opened by Queensland Primary Industries Minister, Mr Harper.
Rockhampton District Saleyard Board’s Gracemere saleyards hosted more than 2000 cattlemen last Friday for the Prime Cattle Show and Sale.
After an official opening by Jim Parker, Agricultural consultant, US Embassy, Canberra, 1612 head sold to gross $1,050,298 to average $651. Prime steers sold to 135.2c/kg liveweight.