NSW stud, first time exhibitor from Nanango win big in Charolais judging

Both a first-time exhibitor from Nanango and a New South Wales breeder returning after a lengthy hiatus took home the top accolades in the Charolais judging at the 2025 Queensland Royal Show.

Judged by Andrew Chapman of Rowanlea Cattle Company, Calliope, a strong lineup of 69 Charolais entries went throught the judging ring on Saturday (August 9).

Taking out grand champion female was Bureen Wendy, exhibited by Travis and Phoebe Worth of Bureen Cattle Company, Martindale, in the Hunter Valley, NSW.

The senior champion cow and her bull calf rose to the top after going head-to-head with junior champion female Moongool Alice 13, exhibited by the Price family of Moongool Charolais, Keddstock Pty Ltd, Yuleba.

Judge Andrew Chapman praised the quality and consistency between the two females.

"They're very, very similar-lovely structure, lovely smoothness, enough fleshing, and great setup," he said.

"The only real difference is one has a calf. That's why we went with the cow today."

For the Worth family, the win marks a significant milestone in their return to stud showing after a seven-year break.

"This feels euphoric," Mr Worth said.

"I'm still trying to process at the moment, it's been a big week. It's been a big journey and we're very happy with the result.

"It's been a work in progress to get (Wendy) as a cow and calf we knew she would be.

"The cow goes back to the DSK Wendy line, a very well-known within the Charolais breed."

Wendy previously won her junior female class at the 2024 Sydney Royal.

Her bull calf was sired by Blue Jean Sharpshooter from young breeder Taylor Miller's stud in Scone, NSW.

"We don't have a lot of land, so we breed cattle we like to look at, functional and able to rear a good calf," Mr Worth said.

"When you're up against some of the best studs in Queensland, this is where you come and know where your cattle stand in the industry. This is the benchmark of the Royal Shows, I believe."

In the bull ring, LHU Ultimate, exhibited by first-time Ekka exhibitor LHU Agribusiness of Nanango, took out grand champion bull after a close contest against junior champion Brendale Vegas, shown by BP & MJ Scheiwe.

Mr Chapman applauded the pair of bulls for their type and design.

"These bulls are sound, soft, and well structured," he said.

"I love both of them-one's got youth and potential, and the other is ready to make an impact right now. Today, I went with the senior bull."

LHU Ultimate, a 24-month-old embryo transfer calf sired by CML Distinction 318A and out of Charnelle STK23U3E, weighed in at 1044 kilograms.

He recorded a P8 fat depth of 12mm, a rib measurement of 9mm, and a 145 square centimetre eye muscle area.

For Les and Sharon Leddington-Hill and their son Cody, who began their stud in 2021, the win was a shock-and a thrill.

"He's one of the first bulls we bred," she said.

"He hit the ground with thickness and kept performing. This was a trial run ahead of next year's Charolais Congress, we never expected this result."

Their stud, which also runs a hay operation, exhibited three animals at the show and currently runs around 30 breeders.

LHU Ultimate is now set to go under the hammer at the upcoming Coolabunia Classic Charolais Sale.

Results:

Judge: Andrew Chapman, Rowanlea Cattle Company, based in Calliope

No. of exhibits: 69 entries

Junior champion male: Brendale Vegas, exhibited by BP & MJ Scheiwe

Reserve junior champion male: Moongool Victory, exhibited by Keddstock Pty Ltd

Senior champion male: LHU Ultimate, exhibited by LHU Agribusiness

Reserve senior champion male: Moongool Under Contract, exhibited by Keddstock Pty Ltd

Junior champion female: Moongool Alice 13, exhibited by Keddstock Pty Ltd

Reserve junior champion female: Ash-Lin Princess V7, exhibited by Warner & Co

Senior champion female: Bureen Wendy, exhibited by Bureen Cattle Company

Reserve senior champion female: Jay Tees Popcorn's Tasteful, exhibited by BP & MK Scheiwe

Grand champion male: LHU Ultimate, exhibited by LHU Agribusiness

Grand champion female: Bureen Wendy, exhibited by Bureen Cattle Company

Breeders group: Keddstock Pty Ltd