SHOW REPORT
Gatton Futurity supreme exhibit Needmor Hilary, paraded by Tammy Robinson, receives her tri-colour sash from sponsor Margaret Wilson, Blackbutt, with successful breeders Cliff Mylrea and Sasha Smith, Needmor stud, Rookwood, Gogango.
JUNIOR DROUGHTMASTERS HIT THEIR STRIDE AT GATTON FUTURITY By BRAD COOPER FOLLOWING ONE of the quietest show years in living memory, Droughtmaster members in March signalled strong intentions to get their marketing programs back to full stride with the biggest turnout for the Gatton Futurity in its 36-year history. The only show of its type in Queensland, exclusively for stud cattle aged 20 months and younger, drew a field of 187 exhibits to the Gatton Showgrounds, eclipsing the previous record of 164. The depth of the catalogue, oozing structural correctness and sound temperament across the classes, tested the stamina of judge Anna Hicks, Calaanah stud, Moura and associate judge Elizabeth Boughen, The Block, Rosewood, especially as the mercury climbed into the mid 30s on the first Saturday of autumn. “It was hot work but very rewarding and a great honour to be given the responsibility of assessing these beautifully prepared stud cattle,” Hicks said. “Across the board, both bulls and females, were very true-
to-type Droughtmasters, slick coats, smooth and strong in their movements, standing well and quiet to handle and lead around the show ring.”
senior champion, Wirrigai JFK, from Charm Ryrie’s Pittsworth stud, and the junior winner, Hamadra Kansas, from Andrew and Kerri McKenzie’s stud at Bluff.
In the end there could only be one Supreme Exhibit, with final accolades bestowed on a 14-month-old Droughtmaster heifer, announcing a triumphant return to the stud ring after a decadelong hiatus for her breeder Cliff Mylrea, Needmor stud, Gogango.
The McKenzies also produced the reserve champion bull calf, Hamadra Kermit, who featured in the same class as the ultimate junior winner. Both bulls are the progeny of Hamadra-bred sires and dams.
A daughter of Bundy Freightliner out of a Needmor dam, Hilary edged out champion heifer calf, Major Golden Girl, from the Major stud at Wivenhoe Pocket, operated by Matt and Rebecca Brooks. Mylrea said the final result was unexpected, but welcome, and a huge confidence boost after more than a decade away from the show ring. “Producing commercial cattle is really our main focus, but there’s no doubting the benefit this type of promotion brings to your whole operation,” he said. In a rare feat, Hilary was also supreme Grand Champion Exhibit against the bulls, including the
Other major ribbon winners included the reserve champion heifer calf, Oakmore Unique, an Araketa daughter from Sharon Harms’ Oakmore Park stud at Greenmount and Seymour Miss Janiska, who claimed reserve champion heifer, delighting her breeders Kirstie and Robert Orphant, whose sons, Riley and Thomas, had prepared and paraded the Gunalda stud’s show team. Reserve champion bull accolades went to Bryvonlea Victor, a 19-month-old polled son of Skye Wilfred and a Bryvonlea cow, pleasing stud principal Brian Heck who was able to present the sash he sponsored to his daughter Tennille Hughes, who paraded the elegant female on behalf of the Glastonbury stud.
Full results of the Gatton Futurity can be found on the website www.droughtmaster.com.au 44
droughtmaster.com.au
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AUGUST 2021
