THE arid weather was not enough to keep owners from entering their best cattle into Beaudesert Show.
Steward Dale Farmers, who oversaw the prime beef carcass and hoof classes, said he was pleasantly surprised at the number of cows entered into the hoof section.
About 370 were auctioned off to abattoirs and other buyers following last Friday morning’s adjudication, which was an increase of about 50 compared to last year.
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“I didn’t think we’d get as many because it has been so dry, which affects the grain,” Mr Farmers said.
“All the cattle were sold and 99 per cent were good quality for butchers, shops and abattoirs.”
Mr Farmers said fat cover, muscle mass, weight for age and temperament were assessed to pick prize winners.
A 736-kilogram Limousin cross steer, owned by Roadvale’s Matt and Ben O’Dwyer, won the prime beef, hoof grand champion male of the show, after earlier successes during the day.
While the O’Dwyer brothers earned only about $420 in cash prizes from the wins, Mr Farmers said the accolade would help them to promote their brand.
The bull was later purchased for $2200 by the O’Dwyers’ Kalbar workplace, The Butcher Co.
The champion carcass was taken out by a specimen entered by Geoff Haack.
Mr Farmers said 28 carcasses were entered to compete, with meat colour, marbling and weight all assessed.
He said entries were grouped into five categories including vealers, steers and heffers up to 220 kilograms and steers and heffers up to 260 kilograms for hotel and restaurant trade.
“The person who enters a carcass aims to be the best,” Mr Farmer said.
About 100 breeding cattle, grouped into tropical, British and European breeds, were entered into the stud beef competition.
Steward Kay Poulsen said the number of entries remained constant throughout the years.
Croftby exhibitors Tanya and Kenneth Falkenhagen were victorious with their Australian Lowline bull Tanview Master, who was placed as the supreme master.
“He was very structurally well put together, paraded well and had features judges the were looking for,” Ms Paulsen said.
Tanview Master’s award followed his three previous Beaudesert Show wins last week – the bull, which weighed about 350 kilograms, was named as the Lowline breed junior and grand champion and the British breed grand champion.
Mrs Falkenhagen said she and her husband also enjoyed success with their Limousin heffer, Devine 27, who took out female of the show.
“We were stoked,” she said.
Cattle were not only judged for their beef production.
Dairy cattle, including the Illawarra, Guernsey, Jersey and Holstein breeds, were all entered.
Boyland dairy farmers Sidney and Elaine Ludwig picked up a slew of awards for their entries, including their Guernsey, Tamborine Spider Bunny.
Mrs Ludwig said her and her husband’s cows had been entered into the Beaudesert Show for the past 50 years.
“We are always bringing home ribbons,” she said.
