Vunivalu kicking goals as a weaner in the South Devon judging at the Ekka

Suliasi Vunivalu is well-known on the rugby league and rugby union fields for his try-scoring prowess but his namesake in the South Devon stud cattle ring at the Royal Queensland Show has won himself a grand championship.

The McUtchen family's 11-month-old bull, Jambili Vunivalu caught judge Peter Cook's eye from the moment he paraded around the ring, so much so that as well as being named junior champion bull in judging on Saturday, August 9, he collected the tricolour ribbon over the breed's senior champion bull.

That was Jambili Uru, also shown by the McUtcheons from Jandowae.

Mr Cook said both bulls were big and powerful, excelling in their weight for age, but the power of the calf at such a young age was something he couldn't go past.

"He's well developed with soft skin, and he's very growthy," he said.

Vunivalu, competing in the 8 month and under 16 month class, tipped the scales at 548kg, and he had P8 and rib fat scans of 7 and 5 millimetres respectively, and an eye muscle area of 113 square centimetres.

The older bull, Jambili Uru, born in July 2023, weighed 946kg, and P8 and rib fat statistics of 10 and 7mm, and an EMA of 137sq cm.

Explaining the naming of the bulls, stud principal Kath McUtchen said it was down to her husband James, a devoted Dalby Wheatmen rugby player who liked to christen their bulls with the names of various rugby players.

In that tradition, Jambili Vunivalu's sire was Jambili Tupou, while his dam had the more genteel name of Jamili Thumbelina.

Ms McUtchen said Tupuo had been shown in Brisbane last year, and they planned on bringing Vunivalu back for next year's show, having only been weaned a couple of weeks before this year's event.

"We thought he had a chance because of his growth for age," she said.

They've been showing South Devons for nine years but have been coming to Brisbane with led steers for 30 years.

"They're easy doing and they've got a good temperament, which you could see here today," she said. "Our three kids were leading animals of all ages and sizes."

She also said their milking and mothering abilities were strong attractions.

The family also won the grand champion cow ribbon, albeit with the only cow entered in the contest.

Jambili Urma was sired by Jambili Salakaia-Loto and her dam was Jambili Pearlie.

She's due to calve in December and the McUtchens plan on bringing her back next year as a cow and calf unit.

They prepare South Devons for the Kildare Grazing Co from Upper Horton in northern NSW, and together they made up the full roster of eight exhibits for the breed.

They also brought Fleckvieh and Square Meater bulls, each of which won grand championships.

"Out of five possible stripes, we got four," she said. "It's been a really good day."

Results

Breed: South Devon

Judge: Peter Cook

No. of exhibits: 8

Senior champion female: Jambili Urma, McUtchen family, Jandowae

Junior champion male: Jambili Vunivalu, McUtchen family

Reserve junior champion male: Jambili Uelese, McUtchen family

Senior champion male: Jambili Uru, McUtchen family

Reserve senior champion male: Kildare Uniform, Kildare Grazing Co, Upper Horton

Grand champion female: Jambili Urma

Grand champion male: Jambili Vunivalu