Champion Charolais bull Master Bates, who has won many shows,CHAROLAIS cattle will be the feature breed at the 2007 Berwick Show.
Charolais originated in France and are predominantly a white animal with colours ranging to a pale brown red.
The breed is popular in Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom and in Australia.
The breed has been in Australia for more than 40 years after some of the first calves were born at Labertouche just east of Pakenham.
They are known for production of lean meat and their expertise lies in cross breeding with traditional British bred cattle, here in the south, and with Brahmans in northern Australia.
Charolais have dominated at the Royal Melbourne Show winning seven of the past eight champion carcase competitions.
More than 30 Charolais are expected to be at the 2007 Berwick Show with breeders coming from all over Victoria to watch and or display their animals.
Officiating judge is Bruce Starritt from Tatura in Central Victoria.
Bruce’s family operates the noted Kelso Shorthorn Stud and he has judged throughout Australia in both cattle and sheep rings. Judging will take place on Saturday 24 February from 9am on the cattle judging ring.
The animal will be a major part of the grand parade on Saturday afternoon.
Charolais sales will take place throughout February and March with more than 300 bulls and females offered at various venues.
The show will also have the easily identified Hereford, the Angus, Belted Galloway and Welsh Blacks.
Berwick has always attracted top judges and can draw from an excellent array of judges who work closely within the industry.
The dairy section will be well supported by Jersey, Guernsey and Holstein breeds.
Sundays Hoof and Hook competition welcomes a new sponsor R. Radford and Son at Warragul. Three weight classes are judged based on suitability of meat for specific markets.
Classifications are for the butcher shop trade, thew supermarket trade, or hotel restaurant or Korean export with weight being the main factor.
Cardinia Meat Company will buy all animals at market price after judging.
Sunday in the cattle arena also features the annual small breeds classic with the Dexter breed from Ireland and the Australian Lowline in attendance.
Small breeds are popular with hobby farmers and people on smaller farms and sought after by butchers needing smaller cuts, but with higher yields.
Dexters are about twothirds the size of British breeds. They are a naturally small dualpurpose breed, but predominantly used for meat in Australia.
The Australian Lowline was developed by the NSW Department of Agriculture from registered Angus stock at the research centre in Trangie.
The unique small size and early maturity of the breed enables tender small cuts of beef suited to modern health conscious palates.
For people interested in a smaller breed, this exhibition is worth a visit.
