This year’s On Farm Challenge commenced on Tuesday with Judge Grame Hopf assessing Sam Henson’s cattle at Buninyong. He and Sam then moved on to Mortlake to see the herd of Greg Abbott, followed by Gay Wuchatsch’s cattle at Pirron Yallock and President Don Castle at Stoneyford. On Wednesday, Don and Grame took a long drive to Shane Storm’s property in Barham, followed by a visit to Hipwell and Halliday’s property at Bunbartha. On Thursday, an early morning start saw a visit to Ian and Jill Coghlan’s herd at Tallandoon, near Tallangatta. Then a change of chauffer occurred with Doug D’Oliver driving the Judge to his property at Leongatha North, to Judy McAninly’s cattle at Won Wron, and to Mark Harris’ herd at Lang Lang, then on to Ian Staff’s property at Pheasant Creek. On Saturday a get together of Red Poll members and visitors was held at Pheasant Creek to witness the Judge’s explanation of his judging system and words of wisdom about evaluating structure, milking ability and fertility assessment in cattle. The presentation of awards followed with the results shown below. All told there were 96 females and 21 bulls entered from 11 herds. Ian and Jill Coghlan’s cattle reigned supreme by winning both Champion Bull and Champion Female.
The Judge used the Australian Beef Type Classification Reporting System, which contains a range of scores from 1 to 9 for 21 characters. The median score of 5 is preferred whilst animals with scores tending towards 9 or 1 would be too extreme.
He stated that the most important features to consider in breeding were fertility, temperament, management and cow families. He stressed the importance of selecting animals with thin, loose skin, fine hair, flat bones, and cows with well- structured and textured udders, good shoulders, long heads, good spring of rib and rear feet with plenty of heel.
When commenting on the animals assessed, Grame stated that he saw a great improvement in quality and evenness of stock since his previous judging tour of the On Farm Challenge in 2009. He reiterated that Red Polls are highly underrated in the Beef Stock Industry and should be considered as leaders in Fertility, Feminity and Ease of Doing.
G. Hopf stated that many animals were close in score so has listed the best animals for each class.
Class 1 - 9-16 Months: 1. Hipwell & Halliday – Almora Kyla 2. G & K Abbott – Turanga Phillah’s Hero 3. M. Wuchatsch – Koallah Park Christiana 4. M & E Harris – Ketlang Justlee 5. S Storm & Sons - Stormley Lou 6. Hipwell & Halliday – Almora Felix 7. P & J McAninly – 104 8. N & I Staff – Sophronites Sarah 9. S Storm & Sons - Stormley Kylie Class 2 – 16-24 Months: 1. I & J Coghlan – Eurimbla Becky 2. M & E Harris – Ketlang Lilly 3. M & E Harris – Ketlang Ursulla 4. D. D’Oliver – St Cerry Eva Two 5. D. Castle – Koallah Park Sophie Minelle 6. S Storm & Sons - Stormley Crystal 7. P & J McAninly – 109 8. M & E Harris – Ketlang Sandylee 9. G & K Abbott – Turanga Rose Endeavour Class 3 – 24-36 Months 1. G & K Abbott - Turanga EDA Endeavour 2. N & I Staff - Sophronites Bella 3. I & J Coghlan – Eurimbla Next Door 4. I & J Coghlan – Eurimbla Marge 5. D. Castle – Red Cactus Sandy 6. S Storm & Sons - Stormley Gwenyth 7. N & I Staff – Sophronites Clarissa 8. S Storm & Sons - Stormley Class 4 – 3-5 Years 1. I & J Coghlan – Eurimbla Petticoat 2. N & I Staff - Sophronites Veronica 3. G & K Abbott - Turanga Rose 4. G & K Abbott – Koallah Park Florence 5. N & I Staff - Sophronites Cara 6. S & V Henson – Red Hot 133 7. S & V Henson – Red Hot Ultah 8. M Wuchatsch – Koallah Park Rae Abba Class 5 – 0ver 5 Years 1. S Storm & Sons - Stormley Pen Glady 2. N & I Staff - Sophronites Shosholoza 3. S & V Henson – Red Hot Phillis 4. Hipwell & Halliday – Almora Kylo 5. N & I Staff - Sophronites Natalie 6. P & J McAninly - 609 7. D. D’Oliver – Inglewood Lanipper 8. D. Castle – Koallah Park Prudence 9. S & V Henson – Red Hot Seppam 10. S Storm & Sons - Stormley Heather
Class 6 – 9-16 Months 1. G & K Abbott - Turanga EDA Endeavour 2. N & I Staff – Sophronites Corker 3. M & E Harris – Ketlang Garmont 4. G & K Abbott – Turanga Eda Hero Class 7 – 16-24 Months 1. N & I Staff – Oakwood Zorba of Olympia 2. G & K Abbott - Turanga Zorba 3. M & E Harris – Ketlang Brutus Class 8 – 2-5 Years 1. I & J Coghlan – Eurimbla Leopold 2. Hipwell & Halliday – Almora Kelby 3. S & V Henson – Red Hot Seppam Boy 4. N & I Staff – Sophronites Charlie Class 9 – over 5 Years 1. D. Castle – Rhyd-Talog Bryce 2. S & V Henson – Red Hot Incredible Class 10 – Two offspring, one Sire 1. Hipwell & Halliday – A. Kyla & A. Felix 2. N & I Staff –Sire Sophronites Cosmo–S Sarah & S. Charlene 3. G & K Abbott – Sire Turanga Hero – T. Phillah’s Hero, T. Snowah’s Hero CHAMPION FEMALE – Eurimbla Petticoat – I & J Coghlan, Tallandoon/Gerogery CHAMPION BULL - Eurimbla Leopold – I & J Coghlan, Tallandoon/Gerogery
Page last updated: February 29th, 2012