Cootharaba Beef Genes at Ekka 09 Wins. Two Grand Champions and Three Reserves

Cattlemen the world over, be they men or women, recognise and embrace the stock management and marketing skills of others. And the book, Cattlemen in Pearls, started out as just an idea by Ian and Anne Galloway of Cootharaba Beef Genetics, to give public recognition to some of the unsung heroes of the bush – our women. “We had a wonderful team of five authors, Annabelle Brayley, Tracey Hartmann, Paula Heelan, Claire Mactaggart, and Amanda Salisbury, all of whom are country women and took on their role with such enthusiasm,” Anne said. Anne said they made a list of 28 cattle women, last November. “We wanted to launch this book at the Ekka, and we didn’t want to give our authors a big workload,” she said. “A lot of these women were people that Ian had grown up with, plus there are a lot of younger women coming through the ranks and we thought they needed to be acknowledge. “All Ian and I really wanted, was for these stories to be documented, as they all are different and have vitally and we didn’t want these ladies lost in history.” “Our niece Tracy Hartmann was one of the authors, and she did a brilliant job a the project manager, while Bev Ryan was the editor, and Elspeth Barker the graphic designer.” “We wanted an abstract front cover, and it was painted by Roma artist Sandra Allen.” Anne said the project has been a dream to work on, and the finished product is far more than they imagined. “It is a beautiful book, and Ian an I have got so much satisfaction in knowing we have made some families very happy,” she said. The book was launched by ABC Landline presenter Pip Courtney at the Ekka High Tea Charity Fundraiser. The fundraiser focuses on helping and educating rural youth, by raising funds to support the teaching and learning program of three western Queensland Schools of Distant Education; otherwise known as the Western Alliance. The event also showcased an Ekka Fashion Parade, as well as traditional High Tea, Silent Auction and Raffle. The book is available through the Cattlemen in Pearls Facebook page and retails at $40/copy. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/cattlemeninpearls

Ian & Anne Galloway, Galloway Cattle Co, Roma, had a team of three head for the stud judging at the recent EKKA 19, coming away with 3 blue ribbons and 2 Champions. Their Brangus entries, Duarran Mombassa and Duarran Nockatunga were awarded Senior Champion and Reserve Senior Champion Brangus Bull respectively. Mombassa, weighed in at 1048 kgs with an eye muscle area of 138 sq cm while Nockatunga was 802 kgs and an EMA of 124 sq cms at 21 months of age . Their Hereford entry, Cootharaba Zed, won his class–14-16 month bull,and the judge said he had a great future ahead of him . The Galloways have a great lineup of Red and Black Brangus bulls for private sale again this year, plus a line of rising 2 year old Hereford bulls. These cattle have all been running on limited oats . Enquiries to Ian Galloway, 07 4622 2408 or 0427 763 507

Junior Champion male went on to take out the Grand Champion Hereford bull at the 2006 Brisbane Ekka. Cootharaba Meteor (COOA103) , an eleven month calf out of a Cootharaba Prunella cow, won the 8-12month class. Sired by Monreid P Express (PRMX001) , he weighed 590 kgs and had an EMA of 103sq cms.

New sire in use at Cootharaba Herefords, Glendan Park Yardman (FSAY045) won the highly contested Grand Champion Hereford Bull at Rocky Beef 06. Weighing 1182kgs and an eye muscle area of 135sq cms, he is very structurally correct, making a striking animal. Yardman was purchased in shares with Glenwarrah Herefords at Wodonga 05, where he won the Intermediate Championship. Cootharaba Laredo (COOZ523) and Cootharaba Lemnos (COOA689) also won their classes, with Cootharaba Lemnos going on to be Reserve Calf Champion.

Duarran Yalebone (IMG03RY744) , a 30 month old 1178 kg Red Brangus, with an eye muscle area of 131sq cm took out the Grand Champion bull award. Yalebone is sired by a home bred sire, Duarran Fantastic (IMG97FS670) , out of Greendale Ramify. Following on from his great win, Yalebone was sold to the Hicks family of Billabong Droughtmasters, for a record price of $45,000 for half share and possession. Semen is available.