Stud and commercial Charolais and Charbray breeders Greg and Kel Kelly, along with daughters Lauren and Hannah, of Juandah Grazing, Guluguba, were clearly elated when they were awarded a swag of ribbons at the inaugural Queensland Charolais Carcase Classic 2021.
The Kelly's claimed the supreme performance exhibit collated from an aggregate of feedlot gain dollar value and carcase placing, the grand champion carcase, the champion carcase pen of steers and the reserve champion, the champion carcase steer, and the champion feedlots gain pen of steers.
Mrs Kelly said that while some of the results had filtered through before the evening announcement, the overall supreme award had not, and it was very special to receive.
"Overall we are pretty excited to be winners in a special Charolais and Charbray award," she said.
"It really is a privilege to be in the company of the 'best of the best' and we were pleased to stand beside everyone."
The Queensland Charolais Carcase Classic's aim was to evaluate the ability of Charolais genetics in a feedlot situation and then appraise the carcases on MSA grading.
A total of 54 head comprising of 27 steers and the same number of heifers were placed on feed for 114 days in Freestone Feedlot, Warwick.
The competition was open to Charolais or Charolais cross in pens of three heifers or steers targeting a carcase weight of 300kg with the cattle judged on weight gain and then slaughtered for carcase evaluation.
According to general manager of the Charolais Society of Australia, Colin Rex, it was pleasing that all evaluated carcases finished in the top one per cent of MSA grading based on the 2020 MLA report.
Mr Rex said the feedback form the trial was that all the cattle entered graded exceptionally well hitting MSA specification, this included the pure Charolais, Charolais British breed cross and Charolais Brahman cross.
"The supreme exhibit was evaluated on the ranking of each animal in weight gain, increased value of the animal from induction to actual price based on groups and carcase evaluation."
The Kelly family firmly believe carcase competitions are the best way to benchmark their cattle.
They run 280 commercial breeders and 100 Charolais and Charbray stud breeders on their property, Giligulgul. They've put a firm focus on exhibiting in carcase contests and have notched up wins in showcases such as the Ekka's Woolworths Carcase Competition, Paddock to Palate and Beef Australia's National Carcase Competition.
"We don't dabble in exhibiting our cattle in the show ring, as at the end of the day it is the carcase that counts," Mrs Kelly said.
Some of the Kelly's memorable wins include their Charbray steers claiming the first phase of the 2014 Mort and Co RNA Paddock to Palate Competition.
The couple moved to Giligulgul in 2004 and became certified organic in 2012. The stud was established in 2002 and genetics have been selected from Riverglen Charolais stud, Ayr Charolais stud and Belah Valley Brahmans. They sell 20 stud bulls annually as invited vendors at the Lilyvale and Riverglen sales.
Other Charolais Carcase Classic winners included Palgrove Pastoral Co, Dalveen who were awarded champion feedlot weight gain heifer, champion feedlot gain pen of heifers, the highest dollar valued added heifer based on the final grid price and the champion overall feedlot weight gain.
Jim and Jackie Wedge's Ascot Charolais, Warwick, gathered awards for the champion and carcase heifer, champion carcase pen of heifers. Standing reserve in both heifer pens was Bauhinia Park Charolais.
Ian, Dell, Ivan and Helen Price, Moongool Charolais, Yuleba won the champion feedlot weight gain steer.
Placegetters also included Palgrove Pastoral, Moongool Charolais, Bauhinia Park Charolais and Mulgrave Grazing Co.
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The awards presentation was held as part of the 50th anniversary dinner of Australian Charolais.
The function paid tribute to the many great cattlemen and women who have been part of the foundation of the breed.
There may have been several dates set over the past 15 months but the Australian Charolais 50th Anniversary Dinner was finally held in Toowoomba on Saturday evening.
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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.
