THE market appeal of crossbred cattle from Lake Elphinstone, Nebo, has seen manager Darren Gilliam claim the double of most successful hoof exhibitor and grand champion steer for the second consecutive year at Mackay Show's beef cattle competition on Tuesday.
A big crowd gathered to watch the judging of the competition's 24 classes and close to 240 head by judge Craig Price, livestock manager, Kilcoy Pastoral Co, and associate judge Brandi-Lee Stanley, Johnny Cake Station, Collinsville.
A 682kg milk-tooth grainfed Limousin/Brahman-cross steer from Lake Elphinstone won champion grainfed steer and grand champion steer, and went on to sell for $1300 to Teys Australia.
Judge Craig Price said the steer "was extremely soft, showed the perfect amount of fat coverage and would yield very well".
Mr Gilliam said he was rapt to win again, with the cattle coming off the back of a "beautiful season" in the State's north.
Lake Elphinstone runs a Brahman-based herd, crossing with Limousin and Charolais, with the property running about 4000 head and selling direct to processors and feedlots.
David Wright and family, Dabin Pastoral Co, Nebo, won champion grassfed steer with a two-tooth 634kg Charbray which sold for $1080 to Teys Australia.
Dabin also won the champion pen of steers with a trio of two-tooth Charbrays which averaged 597kg/head.
Alan Maddern, SNU Grazing, Nebo, won reserve champion grainfed steer and best conformation male beast with a 768kg, two-tooth Droughtmaster/Brahman-cross which sold for $1230 to Kilcoy Pastoral Company.
Ted Murphy, Tayglen Pastoral Co, Dysart, won reserve champion grassfed steer with a 672kg four-tooth Charbray which sold for $1150 to Teys Australia.
The competition, which offers thousands of dollars in prizemoney and trophies, attracted entries from as far afield as Home Hill and Clermont.
The first day of the three-day show also included judging of the led steers, with a 692kg Charbray known as Bushranger winning grand champion led steer.
Exhibited by Rockhampton State High School, the steer was bred by Tim and Lynette Olive, Apis Creek, Marlborough, and had been champion at Ridgelands and The Caves shows before trekking north to Mackay.
