ANYBODY who exhibits stud animals will tell you show day is no walk in the park - it’s hard, hot work from sun up till dusk, it involves plenty of thinking ahead and it requires a composed temperament on the part of both beast and handler.
For young farming couple Megan and Brendan Shearer, the 2015 Murwillumbah Show also involved a fairly impressive juggling act as they had interests in both the beef and dairy ring and, naturally, judging was happening at the same time.
The couple moved from the Hunter Valley three months ago to take up work managing the weaner and stud beef operation Shearwater Poll Herefords at Pumpenbil, near Murwillumbah, owned by the Moxey family.
Brendan also took up work on Col Kennaugh’s 200-milker nearby dairy farm “Fairfield” and, as if that’s not enough to fill in his days, set up his own small dairy stud Diamond Park Holsteins.
His cow, Diamond Park Contender Daisy, won supreme Holstein exhibit at Murwillumbah Show, on November 7, while Diamond Park Jeeves Mary was the supreme junior.
Poll Hereford heifer Kanimbla May K060 was second in her class in the beef ring.
Mr Shearer said the couple made the move north to take up more promising career opportunities.
“My head tells me to pursue beef but dairy is where my heart is,” he said.
“So I guess I’ll keep a foot in both camps.”
The Shearers hope to have more exhibits in both rings at next year’s show and to attend more shows on the North Coast spring circuit.
A success all round, this year’s Murwillumbah attracted a strong line-up of 30 exhibits across five breeds before beef judge Chad Williamson “Chadwick Shorthorns” at Guyra.
“My head tells me to pursue beef but dairy is where my heart is."
- Young Murwillumbah district farmer Brendan Shearer
Craig and Renae Gapes’ Triple M Red Angus Stud at Rukenvale, north of Kyogle, dominated the interbreed judging with the top award, Supreme Beef Exhibit, awarded to their bull Triple M Knockout.
The top dairy award went to long-serving Murwillumbah Jersey stud Kenarie, owned by the McDonald family, via Kenarie Inline Floss.
The showgirl was Murwillumbah’s Erin Kennedy.
Most successful exhibitor in the cane section went to brothers Allan and Malcolm Brown, from Tygalgah.
