Gatt on Futurity 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 trueto-type Droughtmasters, slick coats, smooth and strong in their movements, standing well and quiet to handle and lead around the show ring.” 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. 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 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.

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.

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.

SIMPLY THE BEST

Futurity co-founder Val Evans keeps a close eye on proceedings and the ribbons.

GATTON FUTURITY co-founder Val Evans called this year’s event “up there with the very best”. “And it wasn’t just the record numbers, it’s the atmosphere the Futurity creates,” she said. “Especially this year with so many people not getting the chance last year to bring their cattle together and enjoy each other’s company. “It’s just been marvellous and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” Evans, who turned 80 in July, started the Gatton Futurity with Margaret Wilson and their respective, now deceased husbands, Neil and Peter, in 1986, along with fellow stud breeder and inaugural judge, Ray Phillips, Sunny View stud, Kingaroy. The aim, said Evans, was to provide a platform for Droughtmaster breeders to showcase their rising sires and matrons, and to finesse the skills of young people still learning the art of handling and preparing show cattle. Her co-founder, Margaret Wilson, of the now dispersed Truvalle stud at Blackbutt, was honoured on the day by fellow stud breeders, who acknowledged her contribution to supporting Droughtmaster studs throughout southeast Queensland with a framed photo of her front paddock with the Truvalle sign in the frame. “I’m quite overwhelmed by the gesture and the generosity,” Wilson said. “It reminds me of all the good times being a Droughtmaster breeder. You make a lot of friends, who in time become more like family.”

The legacy Evans and Wilson helped establish and sustain is creating opportunities for the next generation, with the Gatton Showgrounds venue teeming with young people hungry for more experience in the show ring.

Such enthusiasm could be seen on the faces of students from Toogoolawah State High School, whose cattle program under the supervision of co-ordinator Ross Tinney and teacher Angela Lynch produced worthy contenders against some of the big-name studs on the grounds.

And then there was Mac Smith, the boy with the big smile and the big hat, matched only by his even bigger heart, whose emerging stud, Vale View M, collected three class ribbons.

Under the watchful eye of his dad, Dave Smith, of Vale View stud, Manumbar, the pint-sized 9-yearold parader stood tall among those with more years under their belts, a position well within his comfort zone, according to his chief mentor.

“He likes the glory, but not necessarily the hard work on the farm,” Smith joked.

Young Mac countered with his own version of events, saying he enjoys tractor work and putting out the hay best.

Regardless, says mum Colleen Fricke-Smith, the experience is what counts the most, not the ribbons won.

“You come to Gatton to show your support for the Droughtmaster breed and to help realise the potential of those who will lead our breed into the future,” she said.

“I think that’s why Gatton will always hold a very special place in the Droughtmaster story.”