SIMMENTAL
Entries: 35
Exhibitors: 5
Judge: Bill Almond, Kensileyre Simmental stud, NSW.

Seven Brooks’ first Royal reaps supreme

By TRINITY GOLDING of The Farm Weekly
AN outstanding turnout of five Simmental studs meant that there was plenty of stiff competition for the broad ribbons in the breed’s judging at this year’s IGA Perth Royal Show.

The Simmental cattle were paraded before NSW judge Bill Almond who had his work cut out in deciding upon his champions. At the end of the day it was first time exhibitor Sam Weightman, Seven Brooks Simmental stud who took home the most prestigious broad ribbon on the day.

The newly acclaimed Margaret River-based stud cleaned up the bull awards. Its run started with judging of the junior bull class when Mr Almond pulled forward the 18- month-old Seven Brooks Calibre.

Mr Almond placed him first in the largest bull class of the day and was more than happy to award him the ribbon for the junior and grand champion bull of the show. Calibre had an impressive EMA score of 108cm2 and was sired by Woonallee Vision Z48 and out of Topweight UND.
Mr Almond said Calibre was a clear winner in the class. “He is a moderate framed, easy fleshing sire with great carcase attributes,” Mr Almond said. “He is a young bull that walks out well and moves very freely.”

The senior bull class was next to be judged and as the only entry to compete,Topweight Backgammon was sashed the champion. Backgammon was sired by Quaindering Wright and out of Topweight Bettina 239. Mr Almond said Backgammon was an outstanding bull. “He is structurally sound on his feet and legs, moved freely and had plenty of frame and outlook about him,” Mr Almond said.
“I am very pleased to present him with this broad ribbon.”

In the female class it was one of the older heifers that received the broad ribbon for the junior champion. Topweight Bettina was described by Mr Almond as a lovely heifer that carried herself well and showed softness and femininity throughout.
Bettina was a March 2007- drop calf that was sired by Woonallee Vision and out of Topweight Bettina 270.

Reserve to Bettina was Bandeeka Remember, a June 2007-drop calf sired by Bar 5 SA Piona and out of Bandeeka X Remember.

The senior champion female judging was a tight affair with 37-month-old Bandeeka A Raspberry eventually awarded the champion and grand champion female ribbon. A Raspberry was sired by Bandeeka Pollxuberent and out of Bandeeka X Raspberry.
Mr Almond described her as a well balanced cow. “She has a lot of volume and capacity though her body and a terrific calf at foot,” he said.

Finishing reserve to A Raspberry was Topweight Bettina 270, a March 2004-drop female sired by Quaindering Wright and out of Topweight Bettina 188.

The grand champion bull and female then took to the ring to battle it out for the supreme exhibit title. Mr Almond said while both the grand champion bull and female were a credit to the Simmental breed and their exhibitors on the day, he couldn’t go past the junior bull crowning Seven Brooks Calibre as the supreme exhibit. “I just couldn’t go past his overall structure and smoothness of skin,” he said. “He is an outstanding calf who walks very well.”

pic called 1Simmental
With the supreme exhibit and grand and junior champion bull, Seven Brooks Calibre, is judge Bill Almond (left), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Janice Hard, Naracoopa Simmental stud, Denmark and Seven Brooks stud principal Sam Weightman, Margaret River.

pic called 2Simmental
The grand and senior champion Simmental female at this year's IGA Perth Royal Show was this cow exhibited by the Kitchen family, Bandeeka Simmental stud, Elgin. With the female is judge Bill Almond (left), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Bandeeka stud connection Bec Faint, Tamworth, NSW, Janice Hard, Naracoopa Simmental stud, Denmark, and Bandeeka stud connection Neil Davis, Coonawarra, SA.