OVER four days, 120 Simmental cows, heifers, bulls and steers will be judged on property, as a part of the inaugural Browns Stockfeeds Victorian Simmental On-Farm Challenge.
A total of 14 Victorian Simmental studs will open their gates to judge Peter Collins, Merridale Angus, Tennyson, who will inspect each of their entries.
Simmental Australia board member Peter Wenn, Pinaroo Hills Simmental stud, Bunyip, said the competition is a good opportunity for breeders to benchmark their cattle without having to take animals to a show.
“There have been a few other breeds who have held similar competitions, so we decided to do our own,” Mr Wenn said.
A junior and senior champion bull and cow will be awarded to each winner at a presentation night in Bendigo on Saturday.
John Leek, Mt Ararat Simmental stud, Nar Nar Goon, said the Browns Stockfeeds Victorian Simmental On-Farm Challenge has created a lot of interest, and will continue for years to come.
Mr Leek said getting Mr Collins on board as judge was a great success.
“He has shown great interest in the idea of it being on-farm, they’re not dressed up, they’re just in their paddock clothes, and you can really see what the animal looks like,” Mr Leek said.
Mr Collins said he has been very impressed with the quality of the cattle he has seen so far.
He said there's been a great variety of calves, cows and bulls, from 12 months of age to nine years of age, all from vastly different areas of the state.
Edwina Wiltshire, Windjammer Simmental stud, Flinders, entered four females into the on-farm challenge, and said over the last few years the breed has been very strong in domestic and international markets.