The South Queensland branch of Australian Brahman Breeders Association is excited to hold a Brahman feature show during the 50th year of Farmfest at Kingsthorpe.
This year marks 20 years since a Brahman feature show was last held at Farmfest. The South Queensland branch has held a display at Farmfest for more than 40 years.
The current Brahman shed on the Farmfest site at LS11 was designed in the late 1980s/ early 1990s by Graham Bauer and built pre-1993 with the help of branch members Peter Dingle and Graham Bauer who sourced the timber.
With the support of ACM and the Australian Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) – along with sponsors ColourStop (in conjunction with Wattyl), Nutrien Ag Solutions, Elders Stud Stock, Infrabuild, Gilliland Livestock Management, Winnebago Cattle, Riverina Australia, Total Rural Supplies Toowoomba and Sedl Agencies – there will be more than $20,000 in prizes up for grabs in this year’s Brahman Feature Show.
The prize for Supreme Exhibit is a Leicht’s CIA Stockman Pro Chute cattle crush valued at about $11,000 that has been kindly donated by Leicht’s CIA, Goombungee.
Mark Leicht said it was important to him for two major reasons.
Firstly, it is a “great way“ to promote a local manufacturing company that is Australian-owned who is making livestock equipment predominantly from Australian-made steel. And, also, a “great way“ to showcase what is being manufactured on the Downs.
“It’s a fantastic marketing opportunity,” he said.
Leicht’s CIA is known throughout Australia as the manufacturer of ‘The Intelligent Livestock Equipment’.
Their products are designed to be user-friendly, efficient and practical without compromising safety.
The range has been designed and engineered from the ground up with input from experienced cattlemen and women of all generations and with different breeds of cattle in mind.
Mark Leicht’s second reason for supporting the Brahman breed is that he owns Sunnyside Park Brahmans and he would like to see more commercial producers infusing Brahmans into their herds to reduce the amount of chemicals used to treat fly, ticks and parasites in Queensland’s south east.
“Since breeding Brahmans we have noticed how we do not have to treat for flies like a lot of producers around us,“ Mark said.
“We need to breed into our herds something that is going to withstand the elements so we are not using chemicals on our herds.“
Members who display their cattle on the ABBA site at Farmfest, spend the three days promoting the Brahman breed to visitors, handing out an average of 400 sample bags per year.
These bags contain promotional material and information on the advantages of Brahmans. Brahman merchandise is also for sale and the proceeds from these sales are used by the branch to further the promotion.
Over the past eight years, the ABBA display at Farmfest has won the Best Livestock display three times, a testament to the time and effort put in by exhibitors and our pride in our breed.
Members have also exhibited in the “Battle of the Bulls” and “Fantastic Females”, with some members winning and placing in the Tropical Breeds section.
The Cattleman’s Cup competition, which used to be run at Farmfest, was won by Bundaleer Miss Buttons and Bows two years running.
The South Queensland Branch of ABBA has more than 400 members and is very active in supporting members and promoting the Brahman breed in the state’s south.
The branch meets three times per year at various locations to enable members to attend without travelling too far. Members compete at local shows, EKKA and Beef.
There are two annual Brahman female sales held in south Queensland. Gympie Brahman Female Sale will this year hold its 50th annual sale the Saturday after Farmfest and the 4th annual Silverdale sale was held on 22 March.
The branch also supports its younger members by sponsoring a child to attend Junior Beef in Rockhampton.
Nominations for the Brahman Feature Show are $20 per head, with prize money for each class to five placings, first – $100, second – $80, third – $60, fourth – $40, fifth – $20.
Champions through the whole show will receive $300 champion and reserve $200.
Grand Champion Bull and Female will each receive $500.
Judging will take place over two days, starting at 9am daily.
Wednesday, 4 June will see the bulls compete and immediately following the Brahman judging, the Farmfest Battle of the Bulls will be contested. Thursday 5 June will be the females’ opportunity to shine, with the Farmfest Fantastic Females to follow.
Any Brahman competing in the feature show is eligible to compete in the Farmfest Battle of the Bulls and Fantastic Females in the Tropical Breeds class.
* Please visit the Farmfest website for details.
