Kingaroy and Mount Kilcoy Limousin breeders dominate in breed's Ekka ring

The Limousin breed showcased a strong line-up at this year's Royal Queensland Show, attracting 50 head across various classes and drawing considerable interest from exhibitors and visitors alike.

Judge Ben Passmore from Benjarra Limousin stud, based at Ellangowan was tasked with the challenge of selecting champions from a quality field.

Mr Passmore, who runs approximately 130 registered cows alongside a composite program, said he was looking for cattle with strong structure and balance.

"We're in the beef industry," he said.

"I'm looking for bulls that have structure, eweight for age, growth, but also balance and maternal traits - cattle that are going to go out there and do a job for years to come.

"Longevity in cattle - it's the forefront of any breed, I believe."

Mr Passmore emphasised the value of the show ring in identifying key breed traits.

"Honestly, I just go back to the basics first and then from there, what's new, what's modern, what can be more industry relevant," he said.

Jen-Daview Krystal S13 was the clear standout for Mr Passmore in the lineup of champion females, commending her for her maternal traits.

"She was a very maternal female, moderate, but doing a great job on that calf and still with a very sound udder for a five or six-month-old calf at foot," he said.

"A female that's got plenty of life... a cow that won't break down."

The grand champion male, Mervale Lone Star U14, exhibited by Mervale Livestock from Mount Kilcoy, also impressed the judge.

"He was awesome," Mr Passmore said.

"He's a bull like what we like to breed at home, and a very similar type of bull to what we're looking for.

"Muscle, bit of softness, big top, good fronted.

"The big thing is, where the Limousin is jumping in now, is that our bulls are getting bone in them.

"They're not as flat boned as they have been and weight pays."

Mervale Livestock's Sarah Benbow, who is part of the family operation with her partner, Ben O'Dwyer, sister Emily, and parents, said the win was a highlight for the team.

"We have about 40 registered cows and probably 800 head, including commercial cattle," she said.

"This bull has been a standout since he was a calf.

"He was taken to beef as a seven-month-old and has always been a standout.

"It was really good to see him get that win and go out and represent the Limousin breed."

The Mervale team will sell the grand champion later this year and has collected semen straws for an AI program in the future.

At Kingaroy, Brent Evans and Catherine Nicholls from Jen-Daview Livestock celebrated their success, which included junior champion bull, senior champion female, and grand champion female titles.

"We just had three exhibits, all winning their classes and a couple of champions," Mr Evans said.

"It's the first time in the Limousin ring at the Ekka for us, so it means a fair bit."

The grand champion female, Jen-Daview Krystal S13, was a 46-month-old cow with a powerful calf at foot.

"She's a homebred cow by one of our own bulls, who we call King George, who's had a fair bit of success in carcase competitions for us," he said.

"Carcase quality is our main focus, keeping the cattle moderate in frame size but still maintaining weight and the ability to soften and finish."

Krystal S13 had previously been reserve champion at Beef Australia 2024 and had built a consistent showing record at regional shows.

Full results

Breed: Limousin

Judge: Ben Passmore, Benjarra Limousin stud, Ellangowan

No. of exhibits: 50 head

Junior champion female: Warrigal Krystal V8, Warrigal Limousins, Wingham

Reserve champion female: Alsace Natasha, John Devlin, Inverell

Senior champion female: Jen-Daview Krystal S13, Jen-Daview Livestock, Kingaroy

Reserve senior champion female: Warrigal Tiger Lily T23, Warrigal Limousins, Wingham

Junior champion male: Jen-Daview Victor V21, Jen-Daview Livestock, Kingaroy

Reserve junior champion male: Mervale Radio Star V5, Mervale Livestock, Mount Kilcoy

Senior champion male: Mervale Lone Star U14, Mervale Livestock, Mount Kilcoy

Reserve champion: Mervale Dillinger U13, Mount Kilcoy

Grand champion female: Jen-Daview Krystal S13, Jen-Daview Livestock, Kingaroy

Grand champion male: Mervale Lone Star U14, Mervale Livestock, Mount Kilcoy

Breeders group: Jen-Daview Livestock, Mervale Livestock, Province Limousins