In 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge officially opened; the Australian Broadcasting Commission was established; W. Menz and Co. first produced Yo-Yo biscuits; and one young Australian sailed across the equator on his way to Texan cattle country. He would return in 1933 with Brahman cattle that would change the course of history for Australian cattlemen.
THAT HISTORY IS ABOUT TO CHANGE AGAIN.
In the Autumn of 1932, veterinary scientist Dr. R.B. Kelley, O.B.E. traveled by steamship to the States on behalf of what is now the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. He was tasked with the mission of selecting Brahman cattle for crossbreeding experimentation.
The story of Dr. Kelley’s adventures in the U.S. rivals any true adventure novel – there is comedy, danger, death, theft, intrigue, a case of mistaken identity, and a cash crisis that temporarily stranded the good doctor when Franklin D. Roosevelt shut down every bank in the United States for four days to pass the Emergency Banking Act.
On the evening of the 23rd of August 2024, we’ll regale you with the particulars of the Commonwealth’s colorful start to Brahman breeding. Members of the J.D. Hudgins family will be in attendance as our special guests. And The Manso Gala will officially kick-off the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge. Sponsors, special guests, exhibitors, and Brahman enthusiasts will enjoy a lavishly catered seated dinner, drinks, a live band, dancing, and spectacular entertainment – all paying homage to the grit and glamour of a bygone era that ushered in the arrival of J.D. Hudgins cattle in Australia.
In 1932, the idea of crossbreeding Brahmans was a mere hypothesis for a small group of scientists and cattlemen; fifty years later nearly all of Queensland’s northern herds of beef cattle were either fixed hybrid breeds or pure Brahmans. Visionaries believe in a world of possibility, and the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge has been made possible with the support of these generous, forward-thinking sponsors:
90 years ago, Dr. Kelley bought Brahman cattle for approximately $200 AUD per head. A lot has changed since then! As we look forward to another century of breeding, we’re seeking out the best genetics in the country – and offering handsome awards to those who exhibit them.
Officiated by a highly experienced International Stud Cattle Judge, the male and female Grand Champions will each be awarded $50,000! But that’s not all:
An additional $100K in prize monies will be distributed. This includes payments to 1st-5th class placings in each class, and additional $5,000 awards for each of the six Class Champions (male and female Calf, Junior, and Senior champions). An additional $1,500 will be awarded to each of the six Reserve Champions In the Exhibitors Class, payments will be made to those placing 1st through 4th with $8,000 awarded to the Exhibitors Class winner.
No cattleman or woman is in this game for the power, fame, money, or glory. We do what we do because it’s in our blood; it’s our passion; or both. But with prizes in every class and category ranging from $150 to $50,000, there is ample opportunity to enjoy a taste - if not, an entire feast - of winnings and glory at the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge.
The NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge isn’t just the richest cattle show in Australian history; it’s also an opportunity for the entire international community to appreciate Australian cattle genetics. The show will be livestreamed across Australia, the United States, Central and South America and other international jurisdictions. Furthermore, several notable U.S.-based cattle breeders have already confirmed their attendance at the show.
Intentionally and strategically scheduled to take place in late August, The NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge is right on the eve of the spring stud selling season. This event will be a valuable, high-profile opportunity to show bulls and females you intend to market at sales from September – February. Also, because BEEF Australia 2024 and the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge fall in the same calendar year, you will be able to target two major national feature shows with the same team.
This is an opportunity to have a highly experienced international stud cattle judge evaluate your livestock. Having an animal evaluated by an impartial expert with a strong grasp of the international beef market raises its value and its marketability.
CLASS 01/10/2023 to 30/11/2023
CLASS 01/08/2023 to 30/09/2023
CLASS 01/06/2023 to 31/07/2023
CLASS 01/04/2023 to 31/05/2023
CLASS 14: Calved 01/02/2023 to 31/03/2023
CLASS 15: Calved 01/12/2022 to 31/01/2023
CLASS 16: Calved 01/08/2022 to 30/11/2022
CLASS 17: Calved 01/02/2022 to 31/07/2022
CLASS 18: Calved 01/08/2021 to 31/01/2022
We’ve announced the 2024 NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge early because we want to give every Australian breeder or Brahman enthusiast ample opportunity to prepare for this unprecedented event. If you haven’t shown cattle in a while – or, even if you’ve never shown cattle before – 2024 is the year to give it a go!
By selecting your team and partnering with a reputable, professional fitting service now, you can position yourself as a contender for the spoils of the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge and the robust show circuit that will follow.
NCC recommends the following show cattle fitting services:
Service Contact Person Number Location
Droonoodoo Fitting Service Dean Rasmussen 0428-716109 Kingaroy Leegra Fitting Service Les Lee 0407-589027 Murgon JJ Fitting Service Jason Jeynes 0402-829422 Rockhampton
Timbrel Fitting Service Terry Connor 0407-153996 Rockhampton Pinedock Fitting James Dockrill 0400-387116 Casino, NSW
In a letter to J.D. Hudgins dated 27 October 1933, Dr. R.B. Kelley wrote: “...There is no movement...in Australia which has aroused anything like the interest [in these Brahman cattle]. As usual, there are two opinions, but lots of cattlemen who were disbelievers or skeptical before, went away after seeing the cattle with lots to think about.”
On the evening of the 24th of August 2024, at the Night of Champions, A Farewell Spectacular, the level of wonder and excitement will surpass anything you’ve seen to date. A night to delight, this event will be packed with eye-popping, jaw-dropping surprises as you dine, drink, dance, and enjoy world-class performances from Australia's finest dancers and aerialists. We will honour recipients of the Youth Enterprise Awards and build to a grand finale which will include the presentation of $50,000 cheques to both the Grand Champion Bull and Grand Champion Female.
Meant to move Australian breeding into its next glorious phase of development, the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge will leave cattle breeders and cattle enthusiasts with lots to talk about and plenty to ponder.
At the insistence of J.D. Hudgins, Dr. Kelley lived with the family during his time in Texas, and he got to know them all very well. His letters from North Queensland included messages to everyone, including little Eleanor Hudgins for whom he found an Australian pen pala “jolly nice kid” named Movia Allingham of Kangaroo Hills.
We know that our youth are the future of Australian cattle breeding. To encourage and promote the participation of this next generation of cattle breeders, we are giving away two incredible awards for our top Junior and Senior Youth exhibitors at the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge.
The Senior Youth winner (ages 18-24) of the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge will receive a Grand International Tour Package of the World’s Leading Brahman cattle ranches including flights, accommodations, and spending money. The winner will visit 5 champion studs in 5 countries in 5 weeks. Each host - J.D. Hudgins (U.S.A.), Rancho Chapopote (Mexico), Las Talas (Paraguay), Rancho Siguacán en Sevilla, (Guatemala) and San Juan de Bedouth (Colombia) will welcome our Senior Youth winner for one week.
The NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge Junior Youth winner (17 and under) will receive a led heifer selected directly from the NCC Brahmans BEEF 2024 show team!
By its very structure, this unique year-long youth competition will nurture the development of all participants. Entrants will learn preparation and planning, discipline, commitment, communication, and presentation skills that will serve them for decades to come. Furthermore, prizes will be awarded based on the judging of the young entrants themselves – not the judging results of the animals.
Born on or after 1 January 2007
Born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006
• Entrants select an eligible animal they intend to exhibit at the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge. The entrant does not have to own the animal, but it is expected they will go forward to the final stage of parading and judging at the Rockhampton Showgrounds in August 2024.
• Entrants bring said animal to the Breaking-In School held at “Inverrio”, Duaringa in July/August of 2023. The Breaking-In School will be conducted by renowned Brazilian cattle handling expert Nilson Dornellas. This is not a beginner’s school; entrants should already be able to individually handle, parade, and exhibit an animal at an open show.
• Judging, conducted by a panel of experienced stud cattle breeders, will commence at this stage. Judging criteria will include competency, cattle-handling skills, and presentation
• Judging criteria will include competency, cattle handling skills, presentation, and the progress made by the entrant from the Breaking-In School to the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge showing.
• Show judging results of the animal will not have any bearing on the judging of this award. It is the young entrants themselves being assessed and judged.
“I’m very pleased to partner with an elite group of progressive sponsors who recognise the strength, capacity, breadth, and potential of the Northern Australian Beef Industry and the Australian Brahman Industry. The NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge will be an exciting spectacle, offering all Australian Brahman breeders an opportunity to benchmark their products against others for the promise of prestige and rich rewards on a scale that’s never been seen before. As we look toward the centennial for Brahmans in Australia, I’m confident that we are on the cusp of the biggest growth and high-quality performance progress we have ever experienced. I invite you to be a part of this exceptional moment in the industry’s history.”
Nobbs Cattle Co. and NCC Brahman Stud “Inverrio”, Duaringa
Over the past twenty years, Studmaster Brett Nobbs has cemented the reputation of NCC Brahmans as one of the leading beef cattle studs in Australia, exhibiting numerous champions at the World Brahman Congresses and the great BEEF Australia Expositions. He currently holds the Australian records for the highest sales price of any bull ever sold (all breeds); the highest auctions average price (Brahman); and the highest number of six-figure bulls (all breeds) sold by a private vendor. It is his hope that the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge will produce a new rising star who will surpass these achievements.
In the coming weeks and months, we’ll publish more detailed information about the NCC $200,000 Genetic Challenge. Don’t want to miss a thing?
Follow the NCC Brahman Facebook page or reach out to us at NCCBrahmans.com.au. Meanwhile, should you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us.
