Red Poll to feature in the 2018 Royal Melbourne Show Beef Cattle Competition

Having so far received strong entries across new and returning classes, the Royal Melbourne Show Beef Cattle Competition is excited to recognise the Red Poll as the feature breed this year. The Competition is expecting more than 60 Red Poll cattle at the Show. 

Known for their ability to produce high-quality calves each year, the deep red colour cattle will be assessed by some of the industry’s most respected judges and will remain on exhibition for Show attendees. 

The founder of Red Cactus Red Poll stud, Arthurs Creek, Ross Draper, has been showing at the Royal Melbourne Show for more than 40 years. Ross said he "continues to show because it’s a great opportunity to benchmark cattle, not only within the Red Poll breed but against other breeds too".  

Ross has dedicated decades of service to the breed and for him what makes Red Poll special is the quality beef, “True testament to the Red Poll breed is when you actually eat the quality fine grain meat, which is supported by previous Royal Melbourne Show purebred carcase results against all breeds, including a Grand Champion carcase”. 

Conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), the competition awards some of the country’s most prestigious prizes and trophies. This year, the Supreme Champion Red Poll Exhibit will receive an RTV 500G petrol utility vehicle valued at $15,000, supported by long-term Royal Melbourne Show sponsor, Kubota Australia. 
 
The esteemed RASV Supreme Champion Beef Breed Exhibit will also be awarded at the Show, and the $10,000 Wellcom Supreme Sire award will be offered if the same bull sires the Supreme Champion Beef Breed Exhibit and the Grand Champion Carcase. 

Entries close on Friday 27 July, with judging to take place in the Livestock Pavilion from Saturday 29 September – Tuesday 2 October. 

Entries are also open for the 2018 Royal Melbourne Show Beef Carcase Competition, with exhibitors vying for the country’s most prestigious interbreed steer and carcase award, the Borthwick Trophy. 

Entries for the Royal Melbourne Show Beef Carcase Competition will close on Friday 27 July, with judging to take place on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 September. 

For more information or to enter online visit rasv.com.au.

The Red Poll is the 2018 Royal Melbourne Show feature breed.