OF about 75 cows at Euroa’s Autumn Beef Cattle Show, one Charolais heifer named Clarinda Duty Free Maid reigned supreme.
The heifer, owned by Marcorna beef farmers Erin Ferguson and Murray Van der Drift, won “supreme of show” on Sunday after earlier having been crowned the champion European exhibit.
“It was very exciting win for such a young heifer – we're very excited about her future,” Ms Ferguson said.
The cow appears to be on a winning streak, having won junior champion heifer the previous weekend at a show in Rochester.
Judge Tom Isedale, from Tennyson, said Clarinda Duty Free Maid was particularly impressive for a yearling heifer.
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“I really admired the growth for her age,” he said.
“She had a very good neck extension, the feminine front end, and she had the depth of body.
“She had all the makings that I look for in my own herd for future matrons and donors.
“And she combined all that with a good carcass, good hind quarter and stood on a really wide base, and was very sound and moved around the ring really well.”
But Mr Isedale said it was not an easy choice, with strong competition at the show.
“This show has been one of the best I've judged – really strong competition throughout the board,” he said.
“You’re splitting hairs when you come to the supreme.”
Another judge, Gary Turnham from Gisborne, agreed the competition was stiff.
“I think one of the highlights today was the last junior class of males,” he said on Sunday.
“I think I had nine bulls out there and the quality of the bulls was amazing.
“I mentioned on the mike at the time that if anybody was looking to buy a bull for their herd, you couldn't go wrong with any of those bulls that are out there, that the quality was just fantastic.
“To be able to judge and adjudicate, it took a while to sort through them, but I'm pretty confident I got the right one in the end.”
About 20 exhibitors from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia attended this year’s show.
The event was organised by a brand new committee consisting of three young women, Teagan Kubeil, Emily Peck and Carlie Mackelmann.
Ms Kubeil said the show went “definitely better than expected”.
“Exhibitors came from all over to support us, which is nice, being a new committee,” she said.
“Our new program on the Saturday, the calf classic which had the junior events, went exceptional.
“Lots of entries, and a lot of entries on the day, too, which was nice.
“There's definitely room to improve that next year and make that better.”
Ms Ferguson praised the new committee, saying they did an excellent job.
“We really enjoy coming here to Euroa,” she said.
“Good facilities, good competition, and it's a great lead-up event for Sydney Royal for us.
“It's a very well-rounded show.”
