A 23-month-old bull has claimed glory at the Royal Queensland Show as the Charolais grand champion bull.
It was 4 Ways North Star, exhibited by David and Lynette Whitechurch, 4 Ways Charolais, Inverell, NSW who impressed judge Wayne York to be named senior champion bull before going on to take the top accolade.
Mr York praised junior champion bull Tookawhile Picadilly Punch, exhibited by the Nicholls family, Kyogle, NSW but ultimately chose the older bull for the top gong.
"This senior champion bull that extra softness in this fellow is just impeccable and a tremendous amount of bone and beef capacity and weight for age," he said.
"I think he's right where we want to be in the European cattle and a true credit to his breeders.
"I think we'll go on and see the name of this bull come through pedigrees later on in the show ring and also sale toppers in years to come."
A son of Moongool Kakadu from 4 Ways Avoca, 4 Ways North Star weighed in at 1072kg, with an average daily gain of 1.56kg, P8 and rib fat for 10mm and 8mm and an eye muscle area of 146sq cm.
Mr Whitechurch said they'd bred him at home and he had won a couple of local shows in NSW but this was his first major show.
"We were surprised, it was a very strong field of bulls here this year and we were happy with the result," he said.
"He'll go to sale in Emerald at Bettafield bull sale on September 6."
Mr Whitechurch said he had won some local shows in NSW but this was his first major show.
"He hasn't mated any females yet... this will be his first season for whoever purchases him," he said.
"I think he'll breed well, he's very sound and he's very mobile and soft, easy doing ability."
Later in the day 4 Ways North Star went on to impress champion of champions judge Roger Evans, who chose the Charolais pair for the champion of champion pairs award in front of an eager crowd.
Meanwhile Greg Frizell, Wakefield Charolais hadn't shown cattle at the Ekka for at least six years but a cow named Wakefield Amaze 38 is one reason he decided to come back.
The decision paid off, with the rising four-year-old cow going on to first claim senior champion cow in the Charolais before taking the honours as grand champion cow, with six-month-old heifer calf at foot, Wakefild Amaze 67.
Mr York said he was happy with his choice of Wakefield Amaze 38 as senior champion as well as the junior champion female, Moongool Fanmail 10, exhibited by Ian and Del and Ivan and Helen Price, Yuleba.
"They're very similar in type... they're both moderate, they're both very soft, they're both sound, they're both got extension through the neck, both got balance, they both can walk," he said.
"They both tick a lot of boxes you could ever ask for and I think the breed's in great stead.
"I can see that [junior] female coming back in one, two years' time and being right here up the front again, she's just got so much potential about her.
"But to go away from this cow that's on the job, that's her second calf, her calf's a cracker, the cow's doing a tremendous job, she's doing all of the things you want.
"She's a well and truly worthy winner and I think she's a true example of where the breed needs to be."
Mr Frizell said Wakefield Amaze 38 recently was named supreme exhibit at the Charolais national show in Dubbo, NSW
"We're really excited that she's won the double, the Charolais national and here," he said.
"We've got the World Congress coming up next year so I just wanted to come and have a look at the new facilities and get to know the run of the place and we had a fairly nice cow too.
Later in the day she excelled again to be named champion of champions female.