Red Angus and Charolais Shine at Queensland Royal
Image – GK Red 624 Ruba Q5 with calf at foot, GK Red Velvet Ruba V6, exhibited by GK Livestock. Article by Ben Harden and Sally Gall, Queensland Country Life
The Charolais breed was the flavour of the interbreed ring at this year’s Queensland Royal Show, winning two of the three categories up for grabs.
The entire beef cattle judging saw more than 720 entries from 22 breeds compete over the two days.
After the parade of champions on Saturday afternoon, Andrew Raff of Raff Angus, King Island; Reade Radel of Kandoona Red Brahmans, Taroom; and Ben Noller of Palgrove were tasked with the champion of champions female, bull and pair judging.
Interbreed female
Kirrily Johnson-Iseppi and her daughter Brooke, 18, from GK Livestock in Dalby, were buzzing with excitement after winning back-to-back champion of champion female titles.
They did it with one of their prized Red Angus cows who was recently reintroduced to the show circuit after a year in retirement.
In 2022, the cow clinched the grand champion Red Angus title as a first calver.
Following a brief hiatus, she made a return this year, having been fetched from agistment at Millmerran during FarmFest week at the end of June.
“We pulled her out of retirement because she looked fantastic,” Ms Johnson-Iseppi said.
“She was always a standout, and I thought it was time to bring her back for another go.”
She was sired by Coburn Assassin who also fathered last year’s interbreed cow champion.
Her calf, four months old, was by the Canadian sire Red U2 Reckoning.
“This calf is special,” Ms Johnson-Iseppi said.
“She has a beautiful long body and impressive growth for her age.”
Ms Johnson-Iseppi said the Red Angus breed had been gaining traction in recent years.
“The Red Angus breed has flown under the radar, but they can do everything an Angus can do, but with a unique color coat,” she said.
“They’re really coming into their own.”
Ms Johnson-Iseppi is looking ahead to spring with anticipation.
“She’s back in calf to Red MRLA Respect 42G, which will be her third calf,” she said.
“Plus, I’ve got some embryo calves coming up.”
The top five females were Simmental, Red Angus, Charolais, Angus and Droughtmaster.
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