Royal Canberra Show 2025: Belted Galloway breed judging results

A Victorian Belted Galloway breeder has had a clean sweep in the show ring at the 2025 Royal Canberra Show with a powerful cow and calf unit.

First-time exhibitors to the show, Hettie Bierstecker, Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindini, Vic, claimed the top ribbons under the eye of judge David Bolton, Shepparton, Vic, winning supreme exhibit with Silvan Park Smokie 11314.

The three year old cow dun Belted Galloway cow was sired by Silvan Park Noah 11010 and out of Silvan Park Tara 10005, while being followed by a bull calf.

She was sashed senior champion female earlier in the day before competing against her stable mate Silvan Park Uno for the grand champion female title.

The cow then continued her success when winning the supreme champion Belted Galloway exhibit over her other stable mate and the grand champion bull Silvan Park Top Gun.

Mr Bolton said he admired the female for her depth of body and udder.

"What a wonderful cow and calf on a kilograms basis," he said.

"I'm happy enough to overlook those longer teats a little for that thumping bull calf by her side.

"If you actually have a look over this bull calf, wow, there is a lot of him.

"He has a lot of his mothers attributes, the depth, the thickness, the strength and just a terribly good outfit."

Breeder and owner of the supreme exhibit Hettie Bierstcker, Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindini, Vic, said the cow had a successful show career in her younger days as a heifer.

"We went to Melbourne Royal last year, and she was a supreme exhibit," she said.

"Her mum also had a successful show career coming from a line of very good females.

After breeding Belted Galloways for 13 years, Ms Bierstcker said the operation runs 75 breeders over 80 hectares, with temperament being a main component about each animal and then the structural integrity and fertility.

The grand champion bull Silvan Park Top Gun, also owned by Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindini, Vic.

Sired Cumbria Branthwaite Greysmoke, and out of Silvan Park Roxanne, the 30-month-old bull competed against the reserve senior champion bull Pageoway Ugo, exhibited by Chelsea Filmer, Upper Tambo.

Mr Bolton said the two senior bulls were of a similar type.

"They're strong-topped, plenty of natural thickness and sound, and there's not a whole lot of difference between them," he said.

"I like him due to his capacity and the strength of spine and the freedom of movement he has around the ring.

Judge: David Bolton, Bolton Girls Red Angus, Shepparton, Victoria.

Junior champion female: Silvan Park Uno exhibited Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindini, Vic.

Reserve junior champion female: 7 Hills Voodoo Magic 11579 exhibited by Alexandra and Peter Munday, Caloola.

Senior champion bull: Silvan Top Gun exhibited by Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindindi, Vic.

Reserve senior champion bull: Pageoway Ugo exhibited by Chalsea Filmer, Tambo Upper.

Senior champion female: Silvan Park Smokie 11314 exhibited by Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindindi, Vic

Reserve senior champion female: 7 Hills Telorah 11386 exhibited by Alexandra and Peter Munday, Caloola.

Grand champion bull: Silvan Top Gun exhibited by Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindindi, Vic.

Grand champion female: Silvan Park Smokie 11314 exhibited by Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindindi.

Supreme exhibit: Silvan Park Smokie 11314 exhibited by Silvan Park Belted Galloways, Murrindindi.

• Full results in next week's The Land newspaper.