How a $20 nomination turned into a five-figure prize for this supreme champion stud
A North Burnett cattle stud will be trucking more than just their show cattle home after winning supreme exhibit in the Brahman Feature Show and the Battle of the Bulls and Fantastic Females competitions at Elders FarmFest on Thursday, June 5.
The Kirk family of Hazelton Brahmans, Gayndah, continued their Wednesday winning streak with their bull, Hazelton Pride of Oz beating out 119 exhibitors to win supreme in the Brahman Feature Show.
Bred with American genetics exclusive to the stud, the 974kg bull was sired by Mr H Pride of Maddox Manso and was out of Hazelton Suetta.
He had 12mm of rib fat, 14mm of rump fat, and an eye muscle area of 145 square centimeters.
Beating out the Brahman Feature Show grand champion female and supreme Fantastic Female, Raglan Miss Noella 4189, exhibited by Aimee and Roxanne Olive, Raglan Brahmans, Raglan, for supreme exhibit, the Kirk family took home a brand new Leicht CIA Stockman Pro-chute, worth $11,300, as their prize.
As the Brahman Feature Show only had a $20 entry fee, Brett Kirk of Hazelton Brahmans said the trip down south to Kingsthorpe was more than worth it for their stud.
"We are over the moon," Mr Kirk said.
"We've been breeding Brahmans for a long time and have focused on a type, and just appreciate that type was recognised today."
Mr Kirk said the crush would be a welcome addition to their operation, and would replace older models used on the property.
"We've got a couple of old, worn-out ones that it will replace," he said.
"We're thrilled that we've won [the crush].
"We've probably got about four [Leicht crushes] in operation, and they truly are a great crush."
The Brahman Feature Show was judged by Andrew Raff, Raff Angus, King Island, Tas.
Hazelton Pride of Oz also won supreme exhibit of all entries in the Battle of the Bulls and Fantastic Females competition, again beating out fellow Brahman Fantastic Female winner, Raglan Miss Noella, as judged by Scotty Hann, Truro Whiteface, Moree, NSW.
Mr Kirk said the breed recognition from judges of a Bos taurus background was exceptional.
"We're all in the beef industry for the same reason, and I enjoy being judged by other breed judges - it takes the politics out of it," he said.
"They appreciate the cattle for what they are, and that is good beef."
Making a return to FarmFest for the first time in 27 years to exhibit in the Brahman Feature Show, Mr Kirk said it had been an excellent week of competition.
"We don't show in this part of the world very often," he said.
"Because it was the Brahman Feature Show we had a talk about it and decided we wanted to support the breed, and I'm glad we did."
