Queen B rules the Brahman ring as Nobbs family's Carnarvon debuts at Ekka

In a ring filled with names synonymous with Royal Queensland Show champion stud cattle ribbons, it was a first-time exhibitor that stole the Brahman breed limelight in 2025.

The Nobbs family's Carnarvon Cattle Company at Springsure took out the grand champion female with a 36-month-old cow, Carnarvon Queen B, paraded with her 27-day-old bull calf Thumpy.

Howard and Michaela Nobbs made the 1100 kilometre journey from the Central Highlands to show the cow, and three other junior females.

Their stud is only five years old. They run 2000 commercial breeders, grass finishing bullocks for the domestic market in a family operation with Mr Nobbs parents and brothers.

"We wanted to breed our own bulls and I've always had a passion for running a stud," Mr Nobbs said.

Bulls surplus to their needs are marketed at Brahman Week in October, and have so far typically been picked up by big commercial operators.

Mr Nobbs said Queen B was a standout animal as a weaner. She had been performing well in local shows.

"We knew she was special but we are ecstatic with such a big win in our first time at the Ekka, particularly given the calibre of competition here," he said.

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Also in the Brahman ring were the likes of Northern NSW's Mogul Brahmans, which first won an Ekka grand champion title in 1971, and the Fahey family's renowned Bizzy Brahmans, along with the Kirk family's Gayndah stud Hazelton, which now has a third generation leading show cattle.

Hazelton took out the top honours in the bull section via Hazelton Pride of Oz.

The 1058 kilogram bull with an eye muscle area of 147 square centimetres is the first calf by a champion United States show animal, Pride of Maddox Manso, which the Kirks imported.

Stuart Kirk, who is following in the footsteps of his father Brett and grandfather Ted, who founded Hazelton, said the bull had shown promise from his days as a calf.

"He's always been big and strong but gentle - everything you'd want in a bull," Mr Kirk said.

The Kirks brought just six animals to the 2025 Ekka, which is a relatively small show team for them, however every exhibit won either a first or second place ribbon.

Hazelton Empress Manso 7174 picked up the junior female champion.

"I don't think I've ever led a better female," Mr Kirk said.

"She has a big hind quarter, a wide back and all the beef attributes but she still looks like a heifer.

"We weren't intending to break in any show cattle this year - we work in cycles - but when I saw her I knew I couldn't let her go."

Fourteen studs exhibited in the Brahman ring all up, with judge Matthew Noakes, assisted by associate judge Ruby Olsen, saying the standard was high.

Results

Breed: Brahmans

Judge: Matthew Noakes

No. of exhibits: 68

Junior champion female: Hazelton Empress Manso, Kirk family, Hazelton Brahmans, Gayndah.

Reserve junior champion female: Mianna Miss Penny, Mianna Brahmans, Port Curtis.

Senior champion female: Carnarvon Queen B, Nobbs family, Carnarvon Cattle Co, Springsure.

Reserve senior champion female: Mogul Mis YV Indy, Mogul Brahmans, Yorklea, NSW.

Junior champion male: Double F Mister Chivas Regal, Levi Floyd, Fairdale.

Reserve junior champion male: Bizzy Unreal U45, Bizzy Brahmans, Newbold.

Senior champion male: Hazelton Pride of Oz, Kirk family, Hazelton Brahmans, Gayndah.

Reserve senior champion male: Warraka Perry 3417, Sue Blackney, Gympie.

Grand champion female: Carnarvon Queen B, Nobbs family, Carnarvon Cattle Co, Springsure.

Grand champion male: Hazelton Pride of Oz, Kirk family, Hazelton Brahmans, Gayndah.

Breeders group: Kirk family's Hazelton Brahmans, Gayndah.