A total of 970 stud cattle entries representing 29 breeds have nominated for competition at the year’s Ekka to be judged over August 9, 10 and 17.
And overall while numbers are down slightly on the 1129 stud cattle nominated last year, and the Santa Gertrudis breed will lead the charge and exhibit 189 head, which is the largest single breed showing since 2012.
Given the job of sorting through the massive Santa Gertrudis entries on Thursday, August 9 will be South Australian cattleman Tom Baker.
Other breeds judged on Thursday, August 9 include 63 head of Brahmans judged by Wendy Cole and associate judge Megan Kent. Mrs Cole will also tackle the small showing of three Brafords.
Andrew McKay will judge the 95 Angus entries, while Gus McCormack will tackle the seven Charbray entries.
Officiating in the Droughtmaster ring sorting through the 79 entries will be Tammie Robinson, Tammie will be assisted by her associate judge Chloe Davey.
Gerald Spry will officiate over the 40 head of Speckle Park, which to date will be the largest showing of the breed at Ekka.
Rodger Jefferis and his associate Matthew Petty will sort through the 54 Brangus, while Peter Collins officiate over the 29 Simmentals and the four head of the Blonde d’Aquitaine, and the sole Simbrah entry.
There are 13 Bazadais nominated and will be judged by James McWilliam on Thursday. Mr McWilliam will then take on the 15 Square Meaters, and the 10 Fleckvieh on Friday.
Warren Miller, who judge the 19 Gelbvieh and then team up with associate Jessie McClenaghan to judge the eight Red Poll exhibits on Thursday, August, 9. Mr Miller will them sort through the 99 Charolais on Friday, August 10.
Other breeds judged on Friday include 39 Herefords, judged by Stephen Peake and 29 Red Angus judged by Peter Falls.
The 51 Murray Greys will be judged by Marty Rowlands, while the 81 Limousins will be judged by Graeme Wicks.
The 10 Senepol and five Romagnola will be judged by Scott York, while Roger Evans will tackle the 19 Devons, five Shorthorns and six South Devons.
Once the individual breeds are judged David Bondfield with officiate at the champion of champions.
The 20 Australian Lowlines, nine Auslines and six Dexters will be judged on Friday, August 17.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
