Melbourne Royal 2022

Rangan Ronan (P), Senior and Grand Champion Bull, Supreme Charolais Exhibit exhibited by Graeme Cook Family Trust, Charleroi Victoria. Lorna Doone Quest For Fire (P), Senior and Grand Champion Female exhibited by Lorna Doone Charolais, Drouin, Victoria.

Judge: Mr Peter Falls, Malton Shorthorns, Finley New South Wales.

Below: Senior and Grand Champion Bull, and Supreme Charolais Exhibit Rangan Ronan (P) with Brittany Abbott, Peter Falls, Jess Cook, Trevor Robinson and sponsor Shannon Lawlor, International Animal Health. Melbourne Royal this year celebrated the exhibition of Charolais at the event from 1972 to 2022. Numbers on show were significantly more than the three exhibits in 1972. The judge in 1972 Mr Frank Stephens was stewarding in the ring in 2022 and gave a presentation at the dinner that night on the early progress of the Charolais breed in Australia and his involvement.

Judging Charolais was Mr Peter Falls from Malton Shorthorns, Finley accompanied by Associate judge Brittany Abbott. Junior heifers’ classes are always strong in Melbourne and this year was no exception. Jane Wedgewood and Terry De Vries from Tuerong Springs Charolais won both broad ribbons in this section.

Their exhibit Chenu Eloise 16 (P) (R/F) impressed the judges with her mobility, volume, length and clean lines. Sired by HRJ Maverick 556C (P) this wedge-shaped heifer carried a strong influence of Full French genetics in her maternal side. Reserve Junior champion heifer was Chenu Dusk 7 also sired by the HRJ Maverick sire. When awarding Junior champion Mr Falls commented “I am pleased with the heifers at the top end, females must be productive and the two champions stood out for their neck extension, thickness and clean underneath. These females have versatility in future breeding programs”. These two similar heifers placed first and second in the 12 to 16 months class.

Geoff and Noelene King won the 9 to 12 months class with Hazel Downs Symphony (P) sired by Kenmere Quinn Q24E (P). Waterford Sunflower S130 (P) placed second in this class for Golden Rose Charolais. This heifer was sired by Melbourne Interbreed Champion in 2019, Waterford Neon Lights (P)(R/F).

Edwina Wiltshire won the eldest junior heifer class with her Windjammer Sasha (AI)(P)(R/F) sired by Cederdale Zeal (P). A Turnbulls Duty Free 358D (P) daughter, Webb Angel S11 (AI)(P) placed second in this class for R & T Walsh.

Senior and grand champion Female came from the Cow over 30 months class. Loona Doone Quest For Fire (P) exhibited by Rachael Cochrane and James Duggan appealed to the judge for her feet, udder and calf rearing ability and she paraded with a well developed bull calf at foot. Mr Falls mentioned she showed “signs of longevity with a great hip setup coupled with femininity”.

This female was sired by Lorna Doone Napoleon (P)(R/F) who was the Junior champion bull at Melbourne in 2018. Throughout judging Mr Falls referred to females having scale and mobility and this female encapsulated this well.

Second in the senior cow class was Arabar Pearl (P) sired by Winchester Joe Diffie J16E (P) for the Wilson Family. Reserve Senior champion female was Elite Affix R3 (P) for Cameron and Katie McIntyre, Horizen Hill Charolais. This 23 month old heifer was sired by National Champion DSK TGL Nockup N55E (P).

In the bull classes the Cook Family from Rangan Charolais had a great day. Their senior bull, Rangan Ronan R40 (P) won the Bull over 24 months before being awarded Senior and Grand champion and then Supreme Charolais Exhibit. This bull was the Reserve Senior champion bull at Sydney Royal this year. An exceptional well muscled sire with tremendous depth of body his mobility impressed the judges. Ronan is sired by Rangan herd sire, Tambo River Nevada (P).

On the dam side he comes from the renowned Showgirl family that has bred so consistently for the Rangan herd. At 27 months this bull weighed in at 1,080kgs with an eye muscle scan of 146cm2 and fats of 8/7mm.

Second in this class and Reserve Senior champion bull was J&S Charolais Rocket (P) exhibited by Joe Sfarra from Goolwa, South Australia. Rocket is a very smooth son of Elders Blackjack 788B (P).

The Cook Family also exhibited the Junior champion bull, Rangan Tambo S146 (P)(R/F). This impressive young sire was by the same sire as the senior champion and also from the Showgirl family. A homozygous poll red factor calf he was admired by the judge for his volume, outlook and athleticism. Peter Falls also commented “the junior bull was well set up in the front end with a smooth shoulder”. Winning the Bull 12 to 15 months class S146 weighed in at 610kgs at 14 months.

Second in this class was Clarinda Que S34 (P) for Ken Manton. This bull was sired by Clarinda Downtown Q32 (P), a trait leader for 200 and 600 day weight in the BREEDPLAN analysis. Reserve junior champion bull was Windjammer Shout Tha Bar (P)(R/F) exhibited by Edwina Wiltshire. Sired by Cederdale Zeal (P) this was a very long bodied bull with exceptional smoothness. The judges commented on this smoothness and length of body and attractive frame.

Adelaide champion bull, Arabar Charizard (P) shown by the Wilson Family won the class 15 to 18 months. The other junior bull class was the 9 to 12 months class. Geoff and Noelene King took this class with Hazel Downs Scotchman (P). This bull was also sired by their resident herd sire Kenmere Quinn Q24E (P).

Best three head was won by Rangan Charolais with Arabar Charolais placing second. Sires progeny was taken by Hazel Downs Charolais with the sire represented, Kenmere Quin Q24E (P). Most successful exhibitor was Rangan Charolais.

To cap off celebrations for the fifty years of Charolais exhibition at the Royal Melbourne show a large group of members and friends packed out Il Duca restaurant for dinner. It was great to see some of the older stalwarts of the breed in attendance. During the dinner Frank Stephens recounted the early years of Charolais in Australia. This talk included attendees highlighting their first Charolais experience. Mrs Anne Seeley presented the Harold Seeley Memorial Trophy to Rangan Charolais and the region conducted a fundraising auction which was very successful.

Rangan Tambo S146 (P)(R/F), Junior Champion Bull exhibited by Graeme Cook Family Trust with Laura Cook and Gaylene De Jonge.

Jess Cook, Rangan Charolais accepts the sash for the Harold Seeley Memorial Trophy from Mrs Anne Seeley for Most Successful Exhibitor.

Chenu Eloise 16 (P)(R/F), Junior Champion Female exhibited by Tuerong Springs Charolais, Tuerong Victoria with Associate judge Brittany Abbott, judge Peter Falls, Nicole Muller and sashed by Glenda Schultz.

Senior and Grand Champion Female, Loona Doone Quest For Fire(P) with Associate Judge Brittany Abbott, Judge Peter Falls, Josh Phillips, Rachael Cochrane, James Duggan, sponsor Loretta Harvey and Kate Phillips.