November, 2021
Corey tops state
Ag land boom
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PAGES 8-9
Right on track Charli’s Triple treat
Cattle logistics in Queensland will welcome a fresh start on 1 January 2022 when Watco East West starts operating on the state’s central west rail line. Following a competitive bidding process, the rail freight provider won the State Government contract in September after last year securing the south west rail line service. The latest contract runs from 2022 to 2028, with a three-year additional option. Watco East West director Chris Hood said his business was keen to bring innovative thoughts to the cattle logistics’ table. STORY PAGE 5
A top gun and a young gun have clinched major victories in the esteemed Condamine Bell Campdraft, sparking a thrilling start to the 2021 Triple Crown series. From a field of 440 riders, champion Ben Hall of Muttaburra won the open draft and Charli Curr of Julia Creek secured the Joyce Campbell Memorial ladies’ draft. STORY PAGE 24
Big grain leap Big grain size is what croppers seek to achieve higher yields, better grading, fewer screenings and enhanced milling efficiency. Well, in some good news, Queensland researchers have discovered genes in sorghum Queensland’s most prolific summer crop - that could increase grain size without penalty. Led by Professor David Jordan and Dr Emma Mace, the work has been done at the Hermitage Research Facility in Warwick by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) - a research institute of University of Queensland. STORY PAGE 6
Charli Curr, Arizona Station, Julia Creek won the ladies’ draft at the Condamine Bell Campdraft, riding Spook. Picture: HARRY CLARKE, COUNTRYCALLER.COM.AU
Record bull price A horned bull sold on 9 September at Andrew Bassingthwaighte’s Yarrawonga Santa Gertrudis stud at Wallumbilla has reset the breed’s bull record. Yarrawonga Katmandu R236, the second of 158 lots into the ring, went for $150,000 to Scott and Wendy Ferguson, Glenn Oaks stud,
Nobby, incidentally breaking their record of $126,000 set last year. Katmandu is the son of Yarrawonga H Bomb (P) - the 2018 Brisbane Royal junior champion and grand champion bull - and the first of H Bomb’s calves sold.
Mr Bassingthwaighte said the bull, which topped the scales at 914kg at 23 months and had an eye muscle measurement of 137 square centimetres, was the “all round perfect package”. “Katmandu is a standout,” he said. “He is very correct, there is plenty of meat in him and
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his body is thick and soft.” The sale marked a milestone for Mr Bassingthwaighte and his wife, Fiona with the catalogue filled solely with Yarrawonga bulls for the first time. STORY PAGE 4
