THE Royal National Association (RNA) of Queensland has been delighted by the response of stud breeders, who have nominated about 1000 head for the 2015 Royal Brisbane Show Stud Cattle Competition, despite drought crippling 80 per cent of the state.
According to newly appointed chairman of the beef cattle committee Gary Noller, the committee has listened and implemented many changes to the stud cattle format for 2015.
“We have decided to allow two full days for the stud cattle judging,” Mr Noller said.
“The judging will get under way as usual on Thursday, August 6, and visitors should note entry is free on this day, as the show doesn’t officially start until Friday, August 7.
“The stud cattle judging will now be spread over two full days, culminating with the parade of champions at 3pm Friday, followed by the Champion of Champions interbreed judging.”
Mr Noller said due to the extra time allotted to the judging, there would be six rings, not seven as in previous years.
“We urge everyone attending to check the timetable, as some of the breeds may have changed their judging times,” Mr Noller said.
Breeds to be judged on Thursday include Angus, Charbray, Brahman, Braford, Droughtmaster, Brangus, Santa Gertrudis, Bazadaise, Speckle Park, Gelbvieh, Red Poll, Simmental, Simbrah and Blonde D’Aquitaine.
Friday will feature the Herefords and Poll Herefords, Red Angus, Shorthorns, South Devons, Limousins, Charolais, Devons, Piedmontese, Romagnolas, Murray Greys and Square Meaters.
The breeds that have changed from the Thursday program to Friday include Charolais, Limousins, Red Angus, Murray Grey and Square Meaters.
The breeds which have switched from Friday to Thursday are Simmental, Bazadais, Gelbvieh, Blond D’Aquitaine and Simbrah.
The individual breed entry list has Santa Gertrudis leading the way with 167 head.
In another first, the RNA committee will have licensed catering at a new venue in the centre ring.
Named ‘The Homestead’ in keeping with the agricultural theme of the Ekka, it will be open from Wednesday, August 5, until Friday, August, 7.
The compact breeds will be judged the next Friday afternoon, August 14, and include Ausline, Australian Lowline, Dexter and Mini Galloway.
Mr Noller steps up to his new role this year, taking over from former beef cattle committee chairman Philip Harpham, who retired last year.
Terry to judge in Google Glass
AFTER many years of judging the interbreed champions of champions on a count-back points system with all breed judges participating, the RNA has changed the formula this year and appointed a single judge.
The top job will lie with one of Queensland’s most respected cattlemen, Terry Nolan of Nolan Meats.
The parade of champions will now be held at 3pm, with the interbreed judging to start at 3.45pm on Friday, August 7.
And in what is believed to be a world first, Mr Nolan will officiate wearing Google Glass.
RNA beef cattle committee chairman Gary Noller said that what Mr Nolan would see through the Google Glass would be live streamed through the internet to the world.
“It really is the latest in technology and we have decided to use it this year,” Mr Noller said.
Mr Nolan is no stranger to cattle judging and has judged at every royal show in mainland Australia.
He has been judging stud beef, prime cattle and led steers at the Ekka since 1989.
Mr Nolan endeavours to be an active participant in as many industry groups as possible, which have a charter of both advancing the status of the beef industry and improving the consumers’ perceptions of our products.
His personal contribution to the beef industry has been recognised with various awards including the 2004 Rural Press Outstanding Achiever and the AMIC 2010 Distinguished Australian of the Year for service to the Australian meat-export industry.
