It was a case of quality over quantity at the Blonde d’Aquitaine stud cattle judging on Thursday, with judges impressed by the muscularity and meat carrying capacity of the small number of cattle on display.
Monal Alina M32, Monal Blondes, Monto, beat out a small class of cows and heifers to be awarded the Champion Cow or Heifer sash.
The 14-month-old heifer went on to win the overall Grand Champion Exhibit award for the breed.
Stud principal Peter Aisthorpe, Monto, was pleasantly surprised with the result.
“We have shown her at a few local shows and she got a place at Beef so it’s nice to get success at a bigger show like this.”
“She has good blonde characteristics with strong poll genetics,” said Mr Aisthorpe.
The heifer, sired by Rupari Joiner D’poll 129N, overcame strong competition in the bull section to take home the overall prize.
In reserve for the females was Meridan Miss Lovely, from the Westaway family at Meridan Blondes, Meridan Plains.
Meridan Blondes had further success in the bull department with Meridan Moses taking out Champion Bull.
The winning bull was born in September 2016 and weighed in at 860 kilograms, with an average daily gain of 1.22, a P8/Rib Fat Depth of 4/3 milometers and a eye muscle area of 138 square centimetres.
Judge Peter Collins, Merridale Angus, Tennyson, noted the impressive growth rates of the cattle on show.
“At 22 months old to be hitting above 850 kilograms is very exciting. There is plenty of meat, plenty of power and lots of production potential.”
“They also have tremendous length and are the real bodybuilders of the beef world,” he said.
Reserve Champion bull went to Monal Polled Magnum from Monal Blondes.
Results
Breed: Blonde d’Aquitaine
Judge: Peter Collins, Tennyson, Vic
No. of exhibits: 4
Champion bull: Meridan Moses, Meridan Blondes.
Reserve champion bull: Monal Polled Magnum, Monal Blondes.
Champion female: Monal Alina M32, Monal Blondes.
Reserve champion female: Meridan Miss Lovely, Meridan Blondes.
Grand champion exhibit: Monal Alina M32, Monal Blondes.
