Agricultural
26 August, 2024
Success at the EKKA for prime lamb producers
Exhibitors from Millmerran and Pittsworth have taken out awards in the Prime Lamb section of the Royal Queensland Show 2024.
There were more than 40 entries over a number of sheep breeds entered into the competition.
Show Steward, Peter Hood of Pittsworth, won the Tasteoff Challenge and received the ribbon for Tasteoff Champion.
Nathan and Alison Lister, also of Pittsworth, received first prize for the Pen of Three Light Trade Lambs.
David and Robbie Curtis, alongside their daughter Sophie, of Bellevue Grazing Company, placed in every class receiving ribbons for Champion Single Lamb, Overall Paddock to Plate Champion, Carcass Champion, and Overall Reserve Champion Pen of Three Lambs.
They took first prize in the Pen of Three Restaurant Trade Lambs and Paddock to Plate Pasture Fed competitions, and second in both the Pen of Three Light Trade and Heavy Trade Lambs, and the Tasteoff Challenge.
“We put a lot of time, effort and data collection into our Dorper genetics and we are thrilled to see our prime lambs coming out on top,” Mrs Curtis said.
This is the second consecutive year the Bellevue Grazing Company has won the overall Paddock to Plate competition.
The champion pen of three white dorpers had intramuscular fat (IMF) of 5.55 per cent and were exclusively raised on organic pasture on the Curtis’ Bellevue property, located 15 kilometres outside Millmerran.
The lambs weighed 51kg and dressed out at 26kg.
“A huge thank you must go to the competition sponsors Carey Bros Abattoir, Meat and Livestock Australia, Riverina Stockfeeds as well as McMahon Brothers, Rob Ashton’s Butchery, Millmerran Abattoir and Stocklive, and to Chief Steward Peter Hood and his many volunteers and officials who so generously give their time, year after year, organising this industry relevant event,” Mrs Curtis said.
Matt and Zaya Wood of Culgoa Ultrawhite and Dorper Stud from Manapouri (near Clifton) took out the Champion Grass Fed Pen of Three Lambs, and the Overall Champion Pen of Three Lambs.
Other pastoral companies on the Downs received awards including one from Leyburn, and another from Victoria Hill (also near Clifton).
