MOST teenagers in grade nine are still struggling to pack their lunch box let alone plan for the future but a decision by Ballandean’s Adam Williamson to establish a Limousin stud paid off in the biggest form on Friday.
Adam, now 20, and his sister Kahlia, 17, established A.T Limousins six years ago while still in high school.
Their hard work and success was rewarded when their 21-month-old bull, A.T Lewis was named senior and grand champion bull by judge David Bondfield, Dalveen, and associate judge Aimee Bolton, Victoria.
The son of Canadian sire, Greenwood Pld Zambuka, Lewis weighed in at 868 kilograms with P8 and Rib Fat depths of 16/9mm and an eye muscle area of 134 sq cm.
Mr Bondfield said it wasn’t an easy decision picking between Lewis and the junior champion bull, Jen-Daview Mr Pinnacle, for the grand champion title.
“We are splitting two Limousin bulls we think are very, very functional beef bulls,” he said.
“The senior bull is only three months older, (has) tremendous skin, carcass traits, natural softness and a real powerful bull that is extremely impressive.”
The duo started their stud with two Limousin cows they purchased from the Blue Ribbon Sale and have now built their herd up to 40 stud breeders.
While they had grown up around their parents commercial cattle, it wasn’t until they attended their local high school and were involved with their Limousin stud cattle that they became fond of the breed.
“Adam started with the school and then we went to a Queensland youth camp and that’s where we really decided that we wanted to start the stud,” Kahlia said.
It was the first time the pair had shown their stud cattle at the Ekka after exhibiting led steers.
Later that day Lewis went on to make the top 10 bulls in the interbreed judging.
Adam said he would be retained and they would market his semen.
A.T Limousins also won reserve champion senior female with A.T Licorice.
She was eclipsed by senior champion female Flemington Cupcake L3 and her apricot bull calf exhibited by Ian and Donna Robson, Mount View Orchards, Batlow, who later went on to win the grand champion Limousin female and interbreed champion female.
It was a strong first Ekka appearance for the Robson’s who also won junior champion female with Flemington Unreal M15.