NSW stud wins Brangus grand champion at first Ekka appearance in six years
A seedstock producer from Casino, NSW, has won grand champion bull in the Brangus stud judging at the Royal Queensland Show, in his first appearance in six years.
The Trustum family's bull in the 22 to 24 months senior class, Weona Nebraska, won from a field stacked with entries from previous winners, such as the Hanson family (2024), and Sue Fawcett (2019).
The win was the family's second in a successful comeback to major events in Queensland, after their herd bull, Weona 4173 topped the Roma Brangus sale in September 2024.
There were 37 entries from nine Brangus exhibitors at Ekka 2025.
Weona stud principal Lachlan Trustum said it was good to get the win, which was his family's first Brangus grand champion at the Ekka in almost a decade.
"Nebraska's maternal grandsire, Weona Cruz, won our last Ekka grand champion in 2016, and his maternal granddam was a show cow," Mr Trustum said.
"His dam was Weona 3658.
"On the other side, he gets his size, length and smooth coat from his sire, Weona Charlevue.
"It was a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride for Weona Nebraska until today.
"We showed him three times; at Taroom, Tenterfield, and Casino; and he got reserve at each show.
"He will go to the Rockhampton Brangus sale in October."
Weona Nebraska weighed in at 786 kilograms, with an eye muscle area of 138 square centimetres, P8 and rib fat measurements of 10 and seven millimetres.
Judge and Bulliac Angus principal Ben Hill, Miles, said Weona Nebraska had excellent eye appeal above all.
"He was the clear winner," Mr Hill said.
"A very complete bull, with good feet and legs on him as well."
The Hanson family, trading as Hanson Cattle Co and based at Theodore, won grand champion female with their junior heifer entry in the 16 to 20 months class, Bullakeana Xtravagant.
The family had considered keeping Bullakeana Xtravagant in the paddock to prepare for breeding instead of showing her, according to exhibitor Hayden Hanson.
"She is a third-generation Brangus, out of Yaraandoo Wylie and Bullakeana Queen's Cameo," Mr Hanson said.
"Her sire was very true to type, producing calves with great heads, carcase traits, and masculinity or femininity.
"He also sired the Ekka grand champion female in 2023, Bullakeana Unaware.
"This was Bullakeana Xtravagant's first show, and we ended up breaking her in fairly late.
"She will go into a breeding program now with Palgrove Prime Mover, starting with artificial insemination.
"We may bring her back to the Ekka next year with a calf.
"The goal will be to calve her in time to present well at Beef 2027."
Key results:
Judge: Ben Hill, Bulliac Angus, Miles
No. of exhibits: 37 exhibited, 48 nominated
Junior champion female: Bullakeana Xtravagant, exhibited by the Hanson family, Theodore
Reserve junior champion female: Kaydeeay Jessica, exhibited by Brendan Lau, Gympie
Senior champion female: Lazy S Edna, exhibited by Sue Fawcett, Condamine
Reserve senior champion female: Kraken U2 Peaches, exhibited by Jason Jeynes and Julie Sheehan, Dalma
Junior champion male: Lazy S Kruger, exhibited by Sue Fawcett, Condamine
Reserve junior champion male: Bullakeana Youngblood, exhibited by the Hanson family, Theodore
Senior champion male: Weona Nebraska, exhibited by Lachlan Trustum, Casino NSW
Reserve senior champion male: Bullakeana Xtreme, exhibited by the Hanson family, Theodore
Grand champion female: Bullakeana Xtravagant, exhibited by the Hanson Family, Theodore
Grand champion male: Weona Nebraska, exhibited by Lachlan Trustum, Casino, NSW
Breeders group: Weona Brangus stud.
