NSW stud breeders scope out Ekka ahead of Charolais World Congress 2026

New South Wales seedstock producers Luke and Leagha Gardner, Tallimba Charolais, Glendon, via Singleton, made the trip north to take in the Charolais judging at the 2025 Royal Queensland Show.

The breeders, who recently took out senior and grand champion bull honours with their sire Tallimba Ussain at the Sydney Royal Show in April, said they were keen to see what the Queensland show ring had to offer ahead of next year's Charolais Charbray International World Congress.

Originally from Toowoomba, Leagha had attended the Ekka before, but this year marked a first for Luke.

"We just wanted to come and see what everyone had on offer," Ms Gardner told Queensland Country Life.

"We want to come to the Charolais World Congress next year and bring some cattle to the Ekka, so we're just scoping out the show and learning."

She said they were impressed with the standard on display.

"There's some really great competition at the Ekka. Everyone's done a good job producing some high-quality cattle, and it's a credit to all the studs that have turned up," she said.

"We know what we're in for."

The Gardners established Tallimba Charolais in 2021 and currently run about 40 breeders with their children as a family-operated stud.

While they've had success at the Sydney Royal, including their recent supreme Charolais exhibit win, they're looking to expand their reach further.

"We haven't sold stock into Queensland yet, so we're hoping to break into that market in the future," Ms Gardner said.

The Charolais Charbray International World Congress will be held in Brisbane and Sydney from August 5 to 15, 2026.