MURRAY Grey breeders kicked off the 50-year celebration of the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society at the Hamilton Beef Expo last week.
Exhibitors from across Victoria and South Australia came together under judge Corey Ireland, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Mr Ireland was impressed by the class of the heifers and said he was looking for cattle that would fit into his home operation and any drought program.
Ronsard Snowdrop G20, an 11-month-old heifer exhibited by Rachel Crothers, Ronsard Murray Greys, Wangoom, was awarded the first blue ribbon of the day and went on to take out reserve junior champion female.
"She has depth and capacity and great udder development and will be able to spend many years in a breeding program," Mr Ireland said.
The title of junior champion female went to the McCrae family's Dajory Bess.
The rising 19-month-old heifer was noted for her beautiful front-end.
Both senior champion female titles went to Lindsay Murray Greys.
Craig and Jacinta Grant, Coleraine, won the senior champion cow and grand champion female with seven-year-old cow Lindsay Elizabeth with a five-month-old bull calf at foot, Lindsay Gladiator.
Mr Ireland said he couldn't go past the cow for her length and capacity.
But it was 18-month-old junior champion bull Cullenya Frazer, shown by Des and Ann Slattery and daughter Jessica, Wannon, that was most impressive, winning grand champion bull and supreme Murray Grey exhibit.
The junior bull was noted for his outstanding depth and softness, outdoing the Slatterys' senior champion male, Cullenya Edin-burgh, for grand champion bull.
"We had our own expectations, but to see how they line up against quality cattle – that's the most pleasing thing," Mr Slattery said.
Mr Slattery said the show was a good indication of what was to come for the Murray Grey breed this year, leading into the national show and sale at Wodonga and the breed's feature show to mark 50 years of the society at the Royal Melbourne Show in September.