New South Wales Hereford breeder, Ben Monie, Thornleigh Herefords, North Torrakina, Little Plains could not wipe the smile of joy from his face after the combined Poll Hereford and Hereford judging last Friday.
Mr Monie, and along with wife Annabelle, and children Hugo and Cilla, thought they had brought a strong Hereford team to compete but weren’t quite expecting the day the play out the way it did – and too achieve such great results, and be most successful exhibitors.
The Monie family claimed both the junior and senior champion bull quinella, and ultimately the grand champion bull award.
Leading the broad ribbon haul was Thornleigh Legume, who earlier won the 20 to 24 months class and was sashed senior champion, and ultimately the grand grand bull.
Standing as reserve senior champion bull was Thornleigh Legislator L379, while Thornleigh Maxwell was sashed junior champion bull, who came up against Legume in the grand championship award..
The Monies also claimed the reserve senior champion female with the structurally correct and feminine cow, Thornleigh Snowflake.
“We thought we had the right cattle to be competitive, but we weren’t over confident,” Ben said.
“It is just the best day – it was fantastic and we have never had a day like it.”
Judge Erin Walters, Andtravern Herefords, Lancefield, Victoria, who was judging at her first Royal Queensland Show, praised all exhibitors saying it was a outstanding line-up of cattle paraded that before her.
Her described her grand champion bull choice, Thornleigh Legume has having outstanding traits.
“He caught my eye the moment he walked into his class judging – he has a weight of 920kg, great carcase, great eye muscle of 123sq cm and 19/12 rib eye measurement and he carries himself every well,” Mrs Walters said.
“Both the reserve senior champion bull Thornleigh Legislator L379, and junior champion bull Thornleigh Maxwell were very unlucky to meet him today, as he just showed the overall strength on the day.
“However all three bull exhibits are what our beef industry needs.”
The senior and grand champion female was Bonnie Brae Lioness, exhibited by veteran breeder Neville Farrawell, Tamworth, NSW who was attending his 65th Queensland Royal Show. (See separate story)
Mrs Walters described Bonnie Brae Lioness as a good all-round moderate functional cow who was in full production with a great bag of milk for her calf.
Reserve junior champion bull was Tycolah Prize Fighter, exhibited by Steve and Terry Crowley, Tycolah Herefords, Barraba, NSW.
In the junior heifer classes the day belonged to the Weller family, Welray Partnership, Nabiac, NSW.
The Wellers exhibited the junior champion female Wellray Corisande 66, while her stablemate Wellray Shirley 27, stood reserve junior champion female.
Mrs Walters said both junior heifers were structurally correct, feminine, and there was really not alot separating them. Both heifers had earlier stood first and second in the eight and under 12 months class .