- Junior champion heifer: Lavalla Namadia N4, Berdihold Stud, Oswald, NSW
- Res: Mandayen Jill N17, Bush Park Limousins, Kyneton
- Senior champion cow: Aruma Mila, Aruma, Two Wells, SA
- Res: Manoora Park Murphy, Manoora Park, Mortlake
- Grand champion female: Lavalla namadia N4, Berdihold
- Junior champion bull: Bush Park Night Rider, Bush park Limousins, Kyneton
- Res: Aruma Nitro Impact, Aruma, Two Wells, SA
- Senior champion bull: Cassalee My Kind of Party, Harrington park, NSW
- Grand champion bull: Bush Park Night Rider, Bush park Limousins, Kyneton
- Supreme exhibit: Lavalla Namadia N4
- Sire’s progeny: Warrawindi, Penola, SA
- Most successful exhibitor: Patrick Halloran, Bush Park Limousins
A “faultless” yearling heifer was crowned supreme Limousin at the Royal Melbourne Show today, in a decision judge Jake Phillips, Naracoorte, SA, called a “gamble” ahead of her junior counterpart bull.
“I can’t get this decision wrong because either way I go will be great for the breed, but every now and then you need to take a gamble,” Mr Philips said.
Exhibited by Berdihold Stud, Oswald, NSW, the 12 month-old heifer, Lavalla Namadia N4, was praised by Mr Phillips for her barrel and capacity.
“She boasts plenty of bone, is a high performer for her age, and is commercially acceptable for her weight and shape,” he said.
“(Namadia) has plenty of style and is wonderful through the front and hindquarters.”
The young heifer climbed the ranks after being sashed junior champion heifer earlier, with the reserve title sashed to “free moving” Mandayen Jill N17, exhibited by Patrick Halloran, Bush Park Limousins, Kyneton.
It was the start of an impressive run of broad ribbons for Mr Halloran who snagged the grand champion bull with Bush Park Night Rider, after the yearling won the junior champion title.
Out of supreme champion Limousin cow for two consecutive years, Mandayen Jill J2402, Night Rider was applauded for his “wonderful disposition” and accuracy of foot shape.
Judge Phillips, a livestock buyer for Teys Australia, said the young bull “was hard to put a hole in”.
“(Night Rider) has plenty of performance, plenty of type and style, and is a fraction softer than the traditional bull - that is not something to be scared of,” he said.
“He boasts things that are important, maintaining lean meat yield (with eye muscle area of 130 millimetres and weighing 638 kilograms). He is increasing the amount of eating quality and fat we can get on the cattle while maintaining structure and frame which breeds longevity in our females.”
In the senior judging, Mr Phillips sashed Aruma Mila, exhibited by Phoebe Eckermann, Two Wells, SA, senior champion cow, and Cassalee My Kind of Party, Harrington park, NSW, senior champion bull.
Mr Phillips praised the 12 exhibitors from NSW, SA and Victoria, for the temperament of the Limousins paraded, which he said would promote high performance in feedlots.
“They are easy to work with, easy on the eye, are safer and do a better job in terms of performance in the feedlots by achieving goals set for them quicker and efficiently,” he said.
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is Fairfax Media’s national sheep and wool writer. Annabelle joined the Fairfax team in 2012 to nurture her love of Australian agriculture. She began as the Victorian western district reporter at Stock & Land before taking on a senior position as a journalist reporting on all industries statewide. Annabelle’s appetite to report on issues which affect the sheep and wool industry has seen her travel to many parts of Australia and abroad. She is excited to spin industry yarns during a period of substantial demand for the sheepmeat and wool industries. Annabelle enjoys horse riding and climbing mountains, and is a lazy supporter of the Geelong Football Club.
Annabelle Cleeland is Fairfax Media’s national sheep and wool writer. Annabelle joined the Fairfax team in 2012 to nurture her love of Australian agriculture. She began as the Victorian western district reporter at Stock & Land before taking on a senior position as a journalist reporting on all industries statewide. Annabelle’s appetite to report on issues which affect the sheep and wool industry has seen her travel to many parts of Australia and abroad. She is excited to spin industry yarns during a period of substantial demand for the sheepmeat and wool industries. Annabelle enjoys horse riding and climbing mountains, and is a lazy supporter of the Geelong Football Club.
