North Burnett bull wins FarmFest double in stud's first appearance in 27 years

Almost three decades on from their last FarmFest appearance, one North Burnett stud has walked away with both the grand champion feature bull ribbon and Battle of the Bulls trophy on Tuesday, June 4.

Hazelton Pride of Oz was exhibited by the Kirk family, Hazelton Brahmans, Gayndah, and impressed the judges in both the Brahman Feature Show and the Battle of the Bull rings.

The 974kg bull was sired by American bull MR H Pride of Maddox Manso and was out of Hazelton Suetta.

The 32-month-old bull had 12mm of rib fat, 14mm of rump fat, and an eye muscle area of 145 square centimetres.

He first won senior and grand champion bull in the Brahman Feature Show, and instantly caught judge Andrew Raff's, Raff Angus, King Island, Tas, eye.

"I just couldn't go past this bull [for grand champion]," Mr Raff said.

He commended Hazelton Pride of Oz for his head, sire's presence, and his mobility.

Battle of the Bulls judge Scotty Hann, Truro Whiteface, Moree, NSW, echoed Mr Raff's sentiments, and said Hazelton Pride of Oz was not only an exceptional Brahman bull, but an exceptional bull in general.

Stuart Kirk said the results on Wednesday, June 4 had left him feeling the best he'd ever felt after a day of showing.

"We're over the moon," he said.

"We actually haven't been to FarmFest for 27 years, but I'm glad we came this time."

Bred with American genetics exclusive to the stud, Mr Kirk said he was really excited about how Hazelton Pride of Oz could benefit his herd.

"Maddox himself [Hazelton Pride of Oz's sire] was a show champion in the States, so it's good to see his progeny repeating that," he said.

"We'll retain this bull because he's new and has different genetics, and exclusive genetics, so we'll use him ourselves and hopefully get some good benefits from him.

"We like really big, powerful, performance cattle and he's a great example of that."

Aside from Hazelton Pride of Oz's wins, all Kirk cattle entered in the Brahman Feature Show won their class.

"It's probably the best day I've ever had," Stuart Kirk said.

"Every single one of our animals won its class, so that was really good."

Brahman Feature Show results

Cold and windy conditions didn't dampen the competitive spirit in the cattle ring as the Brahman Feature Show kicked off.

In the bull calf class, Hazelton Napoleon, exhibited by Hazelton Brahmans, Gayndah, was awarded champion calf male, while reserve champion was taken out by Sunnyside Park Mr Jace, exhibited by MA and KJ Leicht, Goombungee.

Hazelton Napoleon, placed first in the nine months and under 12 months class and was sired by Elrose Exception 19519 out of NCC Lady Flora 5821, while Sunnyside Park Mr Jace, sired by Kenrol Hugh 3148 out of Sunnyside Park Cindy, won the bull calf under nine months class.

Junior champion male was awarded to Sunnyside Park Mr Jasper, exhibited by MA and KJ Leicht, Goombungee, having previously won the bull 16 months and under 18 months class.

He was sired by Warraka Harlan 3234 and out of Raglan Miss 3726.

Reserve junior champion went to Westbank Beau, exhibited by Robert Orphant, Gunalda, who was sired by Kariboe Valley Ventura 1161/0 out of Brahrock IIJ Ruby Beth.

Hazelton Exhibit, from Hazelton Brahmans, took home reserve senior champion male, having previously won the bull 24 months and under 30 months class.

He was sired by Elrose Exception 19519 out of Hazelton Lady Empress 5916.

The Brahman Feature Show was judged by Andrew Raff, Raff Angus, King Island, Tas.

Battle of the Bulls results

Following straight on from the Brahman Feature Show, the best European, British, and Tropical bulls in show entered the ring to battle it out.

Judged by Scotty Hann, Truro Whiteface, Moree, NSW, Brendal VB exhibited by Brendale Charolais, Plainland, took home champion European bull.

The 10-month-old Charolais bull won the European junior bull class and beat out senior class winner, Provenance Your Not Ready U12, a Limousin exhibited by Andrew Stumer, Provenance Limousin Stud, Farivale, for champion.

Angus bull K5X Ultra U191, exhibited by SB Hayward and KL Smith, Allora, won British junior bull, and the exhibitors also took out the senior class with their 25-month-old Angus bull, K5X UNO U71.

K5X UNO U71 was awarded champion British bull.

Tropical junior bull was awarded to Sunnyside Park Mr Jasper, a Brahman exhibited by Mark and Kaylene Leicht, Goombungee.

Tropical senior bull went to Hazelton Pride of Oz, Hazelton Brahmans, who ultimately won the competition.