A total of 1022 stud cattle entries representing 29 breeds have been nominated for competition at this year's Ekka to be judged over August 8, 9 and 16.
Overall numbers are up on last year's 970 entries and again it is the Santa Gertrudis breed which has the largest section, with 162 head nominated.
Chairman of the RNA beef cattle committee Gary Noller said he is delighted that the stud numbers are so strong in what has been "a particularly tough year for commercial and seedstock producers due to drought".
Taroom district Charbray breeder Matt Welsh will sort through through the massive Santa Gertrudis entries on Thursday, August 9.
Other breeds to be judged on Thursday include 117 head of Brahmans, which is this year's feature breed. Matthew McCamley will judge the Brahmans followed by the showing of the four Brafords nominated for competition.
Brad Hanson will judge the 90 Angus entries, while Scott Dunlop will officiate in the Droughtmaster ring, sorting through the 85 entries.
Scott Hann will look over the 43 head of Speckle Park, while Mark Bauer will officiate over the 31 Brangus entries.
Ben Hill will judge the 43 Simmentals and the sole Blonde d'Aquitaine entry, and the two Simbrah entries, while Steve Reid will sort through the 10 Gelbviehs and 18 Red Polls.
Graham Brown will tackle the 16 Charbray entries then turn his attention to the four Bazadaise exhibited. Mr Brown will also officiate in the Square Meaters who have nine head, and 16 Fleckvieh entries on Friday, August 10.
Other breeds to judged on Friday include 64 Herefords, judged by Adrian Spencer, while Paul Foreman will judge the 35 Red Angus.
Wayne York has been nominated to judge the 100 strong Charolais showing, while James McWilliam will officiate in the Limousin ring and sort through the 70 entries.
Marty Rowlands will judge four Senepol, and Tim Light will judge the 12 Devon, 11 Shorthorn and five South Devon entries.
Once the individual breeds are judged Roger Evans will officiate at the champion of champions in the centre ring at 2.30pm.
Julie Sheehan and Anthony Flint will be judging the paraders competition, while Graham Brown and Wayne York will be the young judges over judge.
Husband and wife duo Craig and Jo Turner will judge the herdsman competition.
Lucy Newham will judge the 14 Ausline, three Dexters and three Minature and Belted Galloways on Saturday, August 16. The judge is yet to be announced for the 53 Australian Lowline entries.
This story first appeared in Queensland Country Life special publication Spring Beef. Keep an eye out for more quality beef content online or pick up the July 25 Queensland Country Life to read more.
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.
