Agricultural
20 May, 2024
Sunny Lawn Brafords clean up awards at Beef Week
Spring Creek cattle producers Sunny Lawn Brafords enjoyed a very successful week at Rockhampton Beef Week where they surprised themselves with success in a number of categories with their Braford cattle.
One of the most renowned events on the national regional events calendar, Beef Australia is a week-long event held once every three years showcasing all facets of the beef industry, including producers, scientists, chefs, students, exhibitors and of course, some amazing food and entertainment.
Sunny Lawn Brafords went well prepared for the event with a staff of seven led by owner/manager Neil Pacholke and included his daughter who came from Western Australia for the event.
Neil’s partner, Leanne Ridley, said the success they enjoyed this year was especially significant because Neil was celebrating 50 years of raising Braford cattle.
Sunny Lawn Brafords were awarded the following:
Reserve calf champion heifer
Junior champion bull
Senior champion cow
Grand champion cow
Exhibitors Group
Sire progeny group
Leanne said these were the best results they had ever achieved at Beef Week and they even surprised themselves at the level of success, especially when taking into account there were over 100 Brafords in the competition.
The awards they considered the most satisfying were the Exhibitors Group and the Sire Progeny Group because these awards were based not just on one animal but over a number of animals.
The Braford is a cross between a Hereford bull and a Brahman cow.
Interestingly, it can also be a cross between a Brahman bull and a Hereford cow.
Brafords were developed north of Rockhampton in Australia in 1946 and have several genetic advantages for the hot Australian climate.
The importance of Rockhampton Beef Week is shown by the fact that both the Australian Prime Minister and the Queensland Premier made appearances at the event.
Neil Pacholke and his staff will no doubt celebrate their success when they return to Spring Creek and after 50 years of breeding Braford cattle, it is well deserved.
