There was a twin set of champion ribbons handed to the Nicholls family, Rukenvale via Kyogle, at Saturday’s Casino Beef Week, with the full time dairy farmers, part time Charolais breeders and passionate show steer fitters taking out best led steer and supreme exhibit in the stud cattle competition.
The family’s led steer was a Charolais cross weighing 482kg but their champion senior female, which went on to claim overall winner, really caught the eye of judge Donna Robson, Flemington Limousins, Batlow.
The two and a half year old Charolais, Temana Lilly by Kenmere Grand Master from a Temana female exhibited in calf which was also by a Temana bull, bred by Terry and Maylene Griffin, “The Ridges”, Baradine. The Griffins are parents to Nichole Nicholls and their genetics have been exhibited by the Rukenvale family for many years.
Ms Robson described Temana Lilly as ‘outstanding” with a “super feminine” presence and natural thickness, strength of spine with a good head and broad muzzle.
“She is an exceptional package,” said Ms Robson. “I still think it is vital to assess cattle for structure. There is no EBV that can do that yet.”
Reserve champion senior female went to five year old Palm View Fantasy Smokin’ exhibited by Laurie Tillman, Cedar Point via Kyogle
Yulgilbar Santa Gertrudis stud won champion heifer at Casino Beef Week with rising two year old Yulgilbar Mississippi by Cardona Nardoo. the young female won junior champion at Sydney Royal and at Rockhampton Beef Week and last year won her class at Brisbane Royal.
The Upper Clarence stud also took out champion bull in the heavy weight class with rising three year old Yugilbar Lieutenant, by Taitai Hurricane H126, which took out the reserve ribbon at Sydney Royal and placed second in his class at Rockhampton.
Junior champion bull went to the Limousin, Backcreek Noble Star, exhibited by Bethany and Erica Bayliss, Armidale and bred by Col and Lorna McGilchrist, Wallabada. The Bayliss and McGilchrist families also collected a ribbon for reserve champion led steer, a Limousin cross over Angus.
Class winners in the stud cattle competition were: Heifer under 12 months – the Charbray, Greenpark Lacey exhibited by Lachlan Hill, Casino; heifer under 16 months – Charolais, Casino Lily exhibited by Casino High School; heifer under 20 months – Santa Gertrudis, Yulgilbar Mississippi; female 20 to 30 months – Charolais Temana Lilly; female 31 months and over – Charolais Palm View Fantasy Smokin.
Bull classes began with under 12 months going to Charolais Glenlea Nero exhibited by Gleanlea Beef, Dorrigo; bull under 16 months, Limousin Backcreek Noble Star exhibited by Bethany and Erica Bayliss, Armidale; bull under 20 months an Angus, Prime Time Equator M38 bred and exhibited by the Lyle Family, Ellangowan via Casino; bull under 30 months the black Simmental, Sixpence Park Midnight bred and exhibited by Glen and Linda Martin, Tenterfield; bull under 36 months Yulgilbar Lieutenant.
In the led steer division the O’Reilly family, “Iron Pot Creek Pastoral”, Ettrick via Kyogle, won their class with a Murray Grey Cross, 348kg. Mark O’Reilly said the season was kind enough but as conditions dried off from March onwards, it had become harder to finish show steers in a five month preparation window. “You feed more you spend more time,” he said. “There’s more commitment.”
Champion schools cattle team McIntyre High School, Inverell, with a Limousin/ Charolais steer part donated by show steer breeders from Tenterfield Noelene and Brian Grogan.
“We find the show steer experience provides education value and gives the students confidence,” said Ms Snaith. A recent tour of Rockhampton as part of that city’s beef week, as proved valuable to the students.