OVER the next few months Queensland Country Life will shine the spotlight on 10 of the state's top cattle fitters - the men and women who prepare and show cattle for an extensive list of studs, as well an ensuring the continuation of the show movement. They're often recognised in the media holding a tri-coloured ribbon beside an impressive bull, or a neatly matching cow and calf unit. However, for many, it's not a full-time occupation but a sideline hobby they're dedicated to in addition to their regular day jobs.
THIS year will be the sixth for the Elite Fitting Service business, operated by Glen Waldron of Meandarra.
Glen works full time as an Elders agent, which keeps him busy enough considering he is located between two of Queensland’s premier selling centres in Dalby and Roma.
But somehow he manages to find the time to run one of the larger fitting businesses in the state.
Glen has been known to truck over 50 head to shows as far south as Sydney, north to the Central Highlands, and all areas in between.
At Beef Australia 2012 he showed 64 animals across six different breeds, and he had 56 at the Brisbane Exhibition.
Glen’s show involvement however started when he was a young boy.
His parents, Bill and Sue Waldron, operated a dairy stud, and Glen and his brother Scott showed the family cows at the Ekka.
Glen studied at the Dalby Agricultural College, and started showing led steers with Jon Gaffney.
He then took up work with Neil Goetsch for several years, before Neil gave away his fitting service to run the family based auctioneering business, Goetsch and Sons,
Kalbar.
Following this, Glen settled in Meandarra to start work with Elders.
In 2004 Glen’s parents established the Kindara Charolais stud, and later in 2007 Glen registered his own Elite Charolais stud.
In the same year he also purchased a property, and decided the only way to earn extra money to help with repayments was to start showing again.
Glen started with a few of his own Charolais, and his first clients included the Clonlara Droughtmaster and Dangarfield Santa Gertudis studs.
His fitting business has always had the backing of his family, and Glen said one special moment for the Waldron’s was in 2007.
The Gobongo Charolais stud, which has since dispersed, won the interbreed female at Ekka with Kindara Doris, who was bred by Glen’s parents
Glen said he enjoyed showing cattle, and in particular the competition part.
“To be honest though, I more enjoy feeding the bulls,” Glen said.
“You start with a team, and when you get to the end of the year, it culminates with the on property sales.
“I get a kick out of how much money those bulls make for their owners. I can handle about 50 bulls here on feed, but that’s enough at the moment with a full time job.”
Glen is busy planning for the Clifton Show, which will be his first for the 2013 season.
Glen’s highlights
- Taking nine head to Lismore Show in 2012 and winning four out of the five interbreed ribbons. Glen also won the highly contested heifer show with his parents heifer, Kindara HR Estella.
- Winning the grand champion Droughtmaster bull out of 170 exhibits at the 2011 Roma Droughtmaster Feature Show for the McCormack family, with Clonara Dominator.
- Winning the 2011 Brisbane Exhibition interbreed bull title for Darren Hegarty, with the Angus bull Carabar Direction E52.
- Watching five Dangarfield show bulls from the 2011 show team average $28,000 at Ben and Amanda Adam’s and family on property sale at Taroom.
- Judging at shows including the Perth Royal, the Dubbo Beef Spectacular, and the National Charolais Show and Sale when it was held at Tamworth.
Client base
The McCormack family, Clonlara Droughtmasters, Glenmorgan, the Adams family, Dangarfield Santa Gertudis, Taroom, Denis and Shirley Bourke, Burradoo Brafords, Meandarra, Scott and Ann Maree Attwooll, Woolcott Shorthorns, Meandarra, Darren Hegarty, Carabar Angus, Meandarra, the Price family, Moongool Charolais, Yuleba, and the Sullivan family, Riverglen Charolais, Glenmorgan.