The 74th annual Glen Innes Bull Show and Sale got off to a flying start with the judging of 85 quality Hereford and Poll Hereford bulls on Thursday afternoon.
Classes were judged by Ben Davies of Wild Bear Herefords and Thomas Foods International.
Grand champion on the day was awarded to the first-place junior bull, Kylandee Nerong, exhibited by Phil and Brad Thomas of Kylandee Herefords, Inverell.
This is the third year in a row that Kylandee have taken home the grand champion sash from Glen Innes.
Sired by Courallie J F051 Jackhammer, Nerong weighed in at 1020kg and scanned with a raw EMA of 132sqcm, rib fat of 12mm, rump fat of 18mm and a scrotal circumference of 44cm.
Mr Davies particularly admired Nerong’s strong top line and depth of body, backed up by his excellent raw data.
“I really appreciated his growth for age, he’s very balanced with thickness through the top line and a fantastic hindquarter.
“He has a big EMA and is very stylish,” Mr Davies said.
Second place in the individual junior bull class was awarded to Lachdale Nostalgia N003, exhibited by Lachie Scurr of Lachdale Herefords, Texas QLD.
In the intermediate class the first-place ribbon was awarded to Valley View No Way N023, exhibited by first time entrant Paul Durkin of Warrialda.
No Way tipped the scales at 965kg and had a raw EMA scan of 124sqcm with rib fat of 15mm and rump fat of 23mm.
Mr Davies described No Way as being very well balanced and correct, with a very good top line and a beautiful hindquarter.
Second place in the intermediate individual class was awarded to Eathorpe Nyngan N043, exhibited by the Jeffery family of Eathorpe Poll Herefords.
First placed senior bull was presented to Supple Naked, a 1125kg son of Sugarloaf Kingmaker K135.
Supple Naked scanned with the highest raw EMA of the catalogue at 140sqcm, with rib and rump fats of 12mm and 18mm respectively, and a scrotal circumference of 40cm.
Naked’s high EMA and great capacity is what drew Mr Davies’ attention.
“He’s the bull with the greatest amount of capacity in this class,
“He’s a very functional sire with great EMA and testicles,” Mr Davies said.
In the prestigious pen of three classes the champion sash was awarded to the first placed junior team of three, exhibited by Courallie J Herefords.
The champion team was comprised of Courallie J K060 Keno N015, Courallie J L064 Lariat N062, and Courallie J K060 Keno N051.
The trio of 23-month-old bulls had a combined weight of 2465kg and averaged 821kg.
Mr Davies described the team as a very even line-up of bulls that were consistent with all the commercial characteristics he was looking for.
“[These bulls are] very industry relevant and very consistent with fantastic top lines.
“They’re very thick and very structurally sound,” Mr Davies said.
The second placed junior pen of three was awarded to Supple Whiteface with Supple Ning Nong, Supple Naturally and Supple Neutral.
In the senior division, the first-place pen of three was awarded to the Scurr family’s team, consisting of Tahlan National N052, Tahlan Naiades N051 and Tahlan Navigator N034.
Once again Mr Davies admired the consistency of the bulls as well as their sound structure.
“These bulls are very consistent with a moderate maturity pattern.
“They’re very cosmetically correct and very sound footed with a good top line,” Mr Davies said.
Second place in the senior pen of three was awarded to the Kylandee team which comprised of Kylandee Nobby, Kylandee North Star and Kylandee Nimbin.
The final class of the day was the truckload of six bulls, which was won by the Supple Whiteface team.
The team consisted of six junior bulls: Supple Ning Nong, Supple Novice, Supple Not Far, Supple Naturally, Supple Neutral and Supple Northerly.
The consistency and the capacity of the six Supple bulls is what earnt them the champion sash from the judge.
“They were the most consistent line of bulls here today, with ample growth for age, thickness and the doability that Herefords a renowned for,” Mr Davies said.
Mr Davies congratulated all vendors for the excellent presentation of their cattle and commended them for the time and effort they had put into their bulls in such a trying season.
Glen Innes Committee Chairman; Angus Vivers, Brad Thomas; Kylandee Herefords and show judge Ben Davies; Wild Bear Herefords.
Grand champion bull: Kylandee Nerong.
Champion pen of three bulls: Courallie J Herefords.
Jim Hann; Courallie J Herefords, judge; Ben Davies, Glen Innes committee chairman; Angus Vivers and David Hann; Courallie J Herefords.
Champion truckload of six bulls: Supple Whiteface.
First place intermediate bull: Valley View No Way.
First place senior bull: Supple Naked.
First place senior pen of three bulls: Tahlan Herefords.