Brangus stud wins Ultrablack grand champion in the breed's Ekka debut

A Brangus seedstock producer has won grand champion bull in the Ultrablack stud judging at the Royal Queensland Show, in the breed's first standalone ring at the Ekka.

Sue Fawcett's home-bred bull at 18 months old, Lazy S Kurrajong, won after her Brangus entries picked up ribbons for senior champion female and junior champion male.

Ms Fawcett, based near Tara, said she bought Lazy S Kurrajong's sire, an Angus bull called Hf Kodiak 5R, in 2012 to put more meat into her herd.

"I have been exhibiting at the Ekka since 1976, when I first came down with my parents," Ms Fawcett said.

"The best thing about coming to the Ekka is the mateship, and catching up with friends.

"This is the first time I have shown Lazy S Kurrajong.

"I am mainly a Brangus breeder, but I had this Ultrablack calf and I thought he was worth putting out there.

"In terms of target traits, I look for functional cattle that are structurally correct, and feminine breeders.

"Kurrajong will be naturally joined with my own heifers at the end of the year."

His dam was Lazy S Ms Edna's Victoree 3Rd.

The champion bull was clean through the front end and moved out reasonably well, according to judge and Bulliac Angus principal Ben Hill.

"He is a bull you do have to like for the style and the cleanliness, particularly in the shoulder set-up," Mr Hill said.

"And he had a bit more scale about him."

N Bar stud principals Dan and Megan Lamb won grand champion female with their 12-month-old heifer, N Bar Well Earned.

Mr Lamb, based at Banana, said it was his first time exhibiting at or even seeing the Ekka.

"N Bar Well Earned was out of a Palgrove heifer from the Beef 2024 sale [Palgrove WI McKinley] and an American bull [Gacc Data Bank]," Mr Lamb said.

"We think she has good doing ability, and good breed characteristics.

"The plan is for her to go in-calf in January, hopefully in time to exhibit as cow and calf at Beef 2027."

Judge Ben Hill said he admired the champion female for her cleanliness through the front end.

"She is on an exceptional set of feet and legs, with a very sound structure.

"You can see that she will gain depth as she gets older too."

FULL RESULTS

Judge: Ben Hill, Bulliac Angus, Miles

No. of exhibits: 2

Junior champion female: N Bar Well Earned, exhibited by Dan and Megan Lamb, Banana

Junior champion male: Lazy S Kurrajong, exhibited by Sue Fawcett, Condamine

Grand champion female: N Bar Well Earned, exhibited by Dan and Megan Lamb, Banana

Grand champion male: Lazy S Kurrajong, exhibited by Sue Fawcett, Condamine.