Unexpected is how the joint recipients of the Beef Australia 2021 Commercial Cattle Championships most successful exhibitor title describe the accolade.
After collecting a swag of ribbons and trophies between them, Brett and Adam Hatton, Hatton and Co, Monto, and Cliff Mylrea and Sasha Smith, Needmor Cattle Company, Gogango, were surprised when they were called to the stage again to share in the spoils.
Brett Hatton said they were thrilled to come away with the title.
"This is the third Beef we've entered and the first time we've come away most successful exhibitor," he said.
"It was really good [to win], but we didn't expect it at all."
For the Hattons, the results signal that they're 'going in the right direction' with their breeding program.
"As a stud breeder, we're staying commercially-focused and that's what we're all about - producing good-quality red meat," Mr Hatton said.
For Mr Mylrea, sharing the top gong was surprising and very exciting.
"At the end of the [awards] night, when they announced Hatton and Co and Needmor Cattle Company were joint winners, it was a real buzz," Mr Mylrea said.
"You don't really expect it because there's so many good cattle there. You just put cattle in to support it and have a bit of fun and this time we've come away with a few ribbons, so that was really good.
"The quality of the yarding was really good, especially the grass-feds considering the seasons everyone's had and the high feeder prices.
"I think a lot of people took the high feeder money and just kept some back to support the event, which is really good to see, and the prices were great."
Results
- Most successful exhibitors: Needmor Cattle Company and Hatton and Co.
- Most successful lot feeder: Brad Hutchinson.
- Grand champion pen: Quinn family, Essex Grazing Company, Middlemount.
- Champion pen of grass-fed heifers: Cliff Mylrea and Sasha Smith, Needmor Cattle Company, Gogango.
- Reserve: Wilson family, Banana Station, Banana.
- Champion pen of grass-fed steers: Cliff Mylrea and Sasha Smith, Needmor Cattle Company, Gogango.
- Reserve: Tom Nobbs and Stewart Nobbs, Yandaburra Cattle Co, Springsure.
- Champion pen of lot-fed steers: Quinn family, Essex Grazing Company, Middlemount.
- Reserve: McCormack family, Clonlara Droughtmasters, Glenmorgan.
- Champion and reserve champion pen of lot-fed heifers: Tom Nobbs and Stewart Nobbs, Yandaburra Cattle Company, Springsure.
