A record number of entrants will exhibit top dairy cattle at this year’s Queensland dairy showcase

A record number of entrants will compete for the top title of supreme dairy cow.

Shane Bourke and Matt Henry with supreme judge Greg English and Supreme Dairy Cow Ovensdale Pearl 534, which also claimed Supreme Udder and Attachment at the 2019 Queensland Dairy Showcase. PHOTO: Dominic Elsome

The state’s best dairy cattle will compete for the top title on offer at this year’s Queensland Dairy Showcase, held at the Gatton Showgrounds.

On Wednesday, a record number of entries will take to the ring, showcasing a variety of dairy cattle breeds and qualities after last year’s show was cancelled due to coronavirus.

Queensland Dairy Showcase sub-committee secretary Trevor Beckingham said nominations for this year’s show were the highest ever received, despite continued troubled conditions and uncertain future in the industry.

This year will be the 11th year the Queensland Dairy Showcase has been held in conjunction with the Gatton show.

“It provides an opportunity to bring all aspects of the Queensland dairy industry together,” Mr Beckingham said.

READ MORE: 2020 showcase supreme exhibit Ovensdale Pearl proves you can teach an old cow new tricks

“The showcase develops and allows interaction at all levels of the dairy industry, from farmers and breeders to processors, consumers, researchers and suppliers.”

A 2019 flashback to Supreme Champion pen of three cows went to the Bourke family with their Illawarra entrants Myrtleholm Lemon Empress 60, Myrtleholm Glenda 65 and Ovensdale Rose 182, with the Raymont family presenting the award. Photo: Ali Kuchel

The dairy showcase was awarded the Queensland chamber of Agricultural Show Societies award for best innovation in a local event in 2018 for recognising the quality of the event and its contribution to the industry.

Mr Beckingham said breeders would parade some of the best dairy cattle from Queensland and Northern New South Wales before the judges on Wednesday.

READ MORE: 2019 event – Udderly amazing attributes at Dairy showcase

The showcase will start with the individual breed classes at 9am with the supreme of the show title awarded at the conclusion at the day.

With 30 exhibitors and 300 entries, Mr Beckingham said the society was expecting about 150 head of cattle.

“This year’s showcase has attracted exhibitors in five dairy breeds, which will parade in the presence of nationally-acclaimed judges,” he said.

Junior handlers and junior judges competitions will be held on Thursday, July 15, where the industry’s youngest talent will have their opportunity to secure a spot in the state finals.

This year will be a true showcase of what the Dairy Industry has to offer in Queensland and continues to be sponsored by International Animal Health, Limestone Dental Group, Williams Seeds, Norco Co-Operative, Australian Probiotic Solutions and an impressive line-up of other sponsors.