BEEF AUSTRALIA 2018 REPORT
A High Voltage Performer for the Childs Family By Helen Walker
W
ith a strong team of 30 exhibits, the Childs family, Glenlands Droughtmasters, Bouldercombe, enjoyed one of their better performances in the Droughtmaster judging by claiming eight of the 12 broad ribbons on offer at Beef 2018. Breed judge, Rob Sinnamon, Yulgibar Santa Gertrudis, Baryulgil, NSW and his associate judge Steve Hayes, The Garden, Alice Springs, worked hard in the blistering heat and humidity sorting through the record breaking 228 entries to find their winning champions. Putting the charge into Glenland’s victory was their senior and later grand champion bull, Glenlands J Voltage. Voltage entered the judging ring tipping the scales at 1124kg with an eye muscle area of 145cm sq. He was described by Mr Sinnamon as a “modern bull and industry game changer” who typified the breed. “He really is a special bull who will advance the Droughtmaster breed,” Mr Sinnamon said.
Voltage is by the $20,000 Garthowen Sparrow 2 sire, and was last year’s Brisbane Royal Show junior champion bull. Standing as reserve senior champion bull was Glenlands J Velocity, who was the last year’s Brisbane Royal Show grand champion bull. Junior champion bull was Glenlands D Whiskey, who is a first season calf of the influential sire, Glenlands D Rambo. Reserve junior champion bull was Glenlands D Winchester. The Childs family also claimed reserve senior champion female with Glenlands Vaneeta, reserve junior champion female with Glenlands D Whitney and calf champion female, Glenlands J Wishful. The senior and grand champion female was Farogan Valley Aura, exhibited by Nick and Sarah Hughes, Farogan Valley, Kandanga. Aura earned the judge’s praise when he said the senior female classes were all about production and profitability. “She has it all, as she is a very efficient functional breeding unit,” he said. Hamadra Droughtmasters, Bluff, were successful in the bull calf champion awards, taking champion with Hamadra Houston, and reserve with Hamadra Hadleigh. Both calf champions were praised by Mr Sinnamon who described them as great indicators of the Droughtmaster breed.
Nick and Sarah Hughes exhibitors of the grand champion Droughtmaster female, Farogan Valley Aura, held by Leanne and Les Lee with Judge Rob Sinnamon.
The Carrington family, Rondel Droughtmasters, Winton, took reserve calf champion female with Rondel Violet.
The youngest exhibitor in the Droughtmaster judging, Mac Smith, Vale View M Droughtmasters, Manumbar, with Vale View M Gator.
Six Year Old Mac Takes on Beef
W
ith wisdom beyond his years, Mac Smith, Vale View Droughtmasters, was the youngest exhibitor in the Droughtmaster judging, and has already decided the direction his career will take when he leaves school. At six years of age, Mac exhibited Vale View M Gator, who was placed first in the six to nine months class, while his cow Vale View M Zena with a calf a foot named Gidgee was placed second in the 30 to 36 months class. His third exhibit, Vale View M Fee, was unplaced but sold to $5500 at auction at the Beef Genetics Focus Sale. Mac couldn’t wait to get back to school for ‘show and tell’ to show the other kids his blue and red ribbons. “It is very exciting winning a ribbon here at Beef 2018,” he said. He has 30 registered head, which runs parallel with parents David and Colleen Smith, Vale View Droughtmaster Stud, Manumbar. “I really have a love of animals,” he said. “I am really looking forward to working for Dad when I leave school.” And there is nothing more that Mac loves doing than washing and feeding feeding his cattle before and after school. Mac has sold bulls to $18,000 at the Droughtmaster National sale at Gracemere, to Lindsay Park Droughtmasters, Bell, in 2016. “I really don’t get sad when I sell them as it is part of my business,” he said. He will offer three bulls at this year’s Droughtmaster National event.
G Grand d champion h i D Droughtmaster h bbull, ll Gl Glenlands l d JV Voltage, l h held ld bby JJason Child Childs, with Associate Judge Steve Hayes, Judge Rob Sinnamon, Trophy Sponsors Paul Laycock and Mark Scholes.
28
August 2018
And Mac has for plans to spend some of the proceeds from the sale of his heifer fee. “I will buy some Lego.”
DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST