Dairy farmers with a penchant for finely finished Charolais, the Nicholls family from Rukenvale via Kyogle, pulled off an amazing combination of success at this weekend’s Lismore North Coast National, winning supreme exhibit and the steer carcase competition.
Temana Lily, bred by Nicole Nicholl’s parents at Baradine, with her Rukenvale born heifer calf Tookawhile Pitch Perfect were awarded supreme champion exhibit of the show by a large margin.
While the Tookawhile name sounds like it was designed to reflect the slow and careful breed program adopted by the dairying family, in fact that’s the property’s name. But it might as well say something about the philosophy behind the win.
“It’s important to bring the right item,” said Murray Nicholls. “We don’t like to come second.”
Supreme senior champion male went to a Simmental from Springside Simmentals, Springside Qld, displaying muscle and with plenty of punch, according to judge David Harch, Wondai, Qld.
Supreme junior female was Yulgilbar Nightingale, described as “super correct” by judge Julie Pocock, Lowood, Qld. The heifer, sired by 2016 US national champion 777 Vegas from a daughter of the $80,000 poll Warenda Sahara, also won the show’s heifer challenge, which included 90 entrants, and was part of a strong team brought to the show by Yulgilbar, which went on to win supreme champion breeders’ group.
Champion female Santa Gertrudis, Yulgilbar Lucinda L121, 36 months, with a bull calf at foot, was judged by Mr Harch as balanced and a "credit to the breed".
Supreme champion junior male went to a Charolais awarded to the Beaumont family at Dorrigo for the 14 month old by Glenlea Honerable from Glenlea Arley.
Grand Champion Brahman at Lismore went to Mogul Miss CL Maria, 12 months, by Caiwarra Leader, described as very correct and hard to fault by judge David Harch.
Champion Brahman bull, Diddine Mr Deejay by NCC Kokomo from NCC Patience, exhibited by Diddine Brahman stud, South Lismore, with Dylan Brown and Sarah Sivewright. Diddine also won reserve male with Diddine Beau by Mogul Casino from Mogul Miss R Wittlesea.
Senior champion Speckle Park female, Tiama Nessie, 20 months, by Tiama Henry Riverina was exhibited by 16 year old Foxtail Speckle Park stud owner Troy Hepburn, McKees Hill, who purchased his first stud female through Gumtree.
The apprentice butcher was also awarded reserve champion ribbon for cow and calf while in the led steer he placed second and third in the lightweight class and third in the pen of three, all with Speckle Park.
Schools pull their weight
Combined scores for hoof and hook awarded St John’s College, Woodlawn, the champion schools trophy for the first time with Kadina High, Lismore, reserve.
Champion led school steer on the hoof, a Charbray cross bred by Peter Baker, Murwillumbah, was prepared by Murwillumbah High School. A separate steer prepared by the school placed first in the carcase points with a score of 89.294.
Casino High School placed third with their carcase, scoring 88.268.
Of the 93 entrants in led steer 26 were entered from 10 schools competing in a separate competition. School steers competing in the open competition placed in the top five in each of the four weight classes.
“This is an outstanding achievement given the constraints of preparing steers in a school situation,” said Woodlawn agricultural teacher Mick Melino.”
Bonalbo Central School placed first in the 220 – 360kg class and Alstonville High fifth in the 481 – 550kg class.
Dairy spectacular
Supreme champion dairy cow at the North Coast National dairy spectacular, sponsored by Casino processor Richmond Dairies, went to Instyle Lauthority Amy, three years old, exhibited and handled by Brenton Thomas, Beechmont, Qld,
Reserve supreme champion was awarded to the four year old Jersey, Fairbrae Tequila Dinah bred and handled by Jim Hewett, Bentley.
Supreme udder was awarded to the Jersey cow Fairbrae Tequila Dinah, bred and handled by Jim Hewett. Reserve went to the Holstein Leader Starmatic Sugar, nine years old, exhibited by the Marks family, Dorrigo.
Supreme Pen of three dairy cows was awarded to the McDonald family, Kenarie Jerseys, Murwillumbah exhibiting the same trio that won supreme pen at Lismore last year.
Family Elder Pat said the McDonalds had been showing at the North Coast National since 1948. “Showing here is always such a pleasure. It is such a strong competition,” he said.
Reserve supreme pen of three was awarded to the The Clarke family partnership with a team of Holsteins while third was awarded also to the Clarke family for their team of Guernseys.
Supreme intermediate champion was awarded to Tony and Leesa Northfield, Tatham, with their Holstein Kaloola Gold Chip Bunty. The family also won supreme junior champion with Kaloola Corvette M Essie. Reserve junior went to the Marks family, Dorrigo, with their Ayreshire Geelunga Dreamer Bailey.
Reserve supreme intermediate champion went to the Chappell family, Coraki, with their three year old Jersey Fairdale Mauiman Jill.