Meet our top producers & previous winners
2022
John Korsman Memorial Shield
Pittman family, Wahnica Partnership (CP)
They are consistently amongst our top producers and today the Pittman families, Wahnica Partnership were rewarded by taking out the John Korsman Memorial Shield for their 50+kg lambs sold through CP. Damien Pittman was on hand to receive the shield from Rosemary Korsman and daughter Kristy. The rest of the Pittman family were at home shearing and took some convincing that they had actually won the title! Damien said the lambs would dress around 32kg and had been specifically held back for the show. They made $265 in a market quoted by the MLA as “slightly dearer”” for old lambs to process. Speaking on behalf of the judges, Andrew Jackson from Thomas Foods International said that while the market was still “very good”” it had been a ‘tough season with production back due to COVID. He also stressed the importance of not getting lambs too fat as heavier lambs are already cheaper in the south with limited demand around the world.
Congratulations to all who entered their lambs. We look forward to our Spring Lamb Show on the first Monday in September.
Virbac Weaner Challenge
George and Ali Duddy, "Hudson" Willow Tree (IML)
Jason Goodwin Memorial Shield
Wheatacres (MCA)
2021
John Korsman Memorial Shield
Tongue Pastoral, Loomberah (GC)
Virbac Weaner Challenge
Keith & Jennifer Ross, “Booloocooroo”, Gunnedah (PPA)
2020
JV Goodwin Memorial Shield
Roworth & Son, "Minarooba" Duri (DC)
Roworths take shield
John and Helen Roworth and family, Duri, took out the Jason Goodwin Memorial Shield with their April/May drop, heavy export lambs, weighing 56-57kg. It was a surprise win with agent, Scott Newberry, entering John’s lambs and obviously a decision that paid off. While the Roworths have previously won a category they have never won the Champion pen and John said it was “terrific” to win the shield named in Jason’s honour.
It represents a fantastic turn around for the Roworths who were forced to destock their property for the first time since 1948 during the drought. John says the turnaround in the last 6 months has been amazing, stressing they are a small family farm and there was a lot of family effort involved in the win. The lambs made $202.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Brian Wellings, Fletchers International said it was a ‘tight contest” and congratulated vendors who stayed in the lamb industry after an horrendous drought, adding that the sale included some of the heaviest lambs he’s ever seen from last year’s winners, the Kirton family of Walcha.
Virbac Weaner Challenge
JB Carpenter, "Carnegie", Niangala (GC)
“Carnegie” and “Carlowrie” claim Virbac Weaner Challenge honours
Tablelands graziers reigned supreme again today with JB Carpenter, "Carnegie" Niangala (pictured above with manager Barry Green) taking out the Virbac Weaner Challenge for his 7-9 month old, grass fed, Watasanta and Clunie Range blood Santa/Angus weaner steers sold through Garvin and Cousens. They topped at $1420. It's the seventh time in as many years that a cold country producer has won the title, with the gong up for grabs with last year’s champions George and Sue Lyons weaners already sold.
The Champion pen of heifers went to Camlin Investments, Manilla for their Charolais x heifers out of big frame Angus/Santa cows by DSK Charolais bulls. They made $1520 through Purtle Plevey Agencies to go around the champion pen of steers
2019
JV Goodwin Memorial Shield
Kirton Partnership, Walcha (DC)
From cyclones and droughts to champions
Last year, 10-year-old Claudia Kirton from Walcha decided she wanted to enter the Spring Lamb Show. Today, after one of the worst droughts on record and a devastating cyclone that smashed their property just days before Christmas last year, 11 year old Claudia took centre stage, surrounded by some of the industry’s best, to receive the JV Goodwin Memorial Shield on behalf of their family business Kirton Partnership.
Father, Angus, says that the 90-100 kg lambs were specifically targeted at the show and on feed all year, adding that “they were very different to a commercial enterprise, at a considerable cost, but it was really a project for Claudia and something to focus on in the drought.”
Virbac Weaner Challenge
George & Sue Lyon, "The Springs" Nowendoc (CP)
Market stronger than expected and title to tablelands
The Virbac Weaner Challenge title will stay on the tablelands. The champion pen was won by George and Sue Lyon, "The Springs" Nowendoc for the 6-7-month-old Charolais x Angus steers. They went on to make $915, top price for the 2800 steers sold from a total of 4000 weaners on offer. The best pen of heifers went to Hereford heifers sold on account Mary Thompson and Estate John Thompson from Niangala. They made $490 with both winning pens sold by Chris Paterson Livestock. Although everyone was prepared for a tough sale, agents and vendors agreed that the market was stronger than expected with big numbers enough to attract QLD buyers who were “the strength in the market.”
2018
JV Goodwin Memorial Shield
Robert & Marion Carey, "Shannon View", Bective (BS)
New Titleholder, New Record - and a Downpour
We think Jason Goodwin may have been looking down on us today as the heavens opened up as Simon Burke announced Robert Carey, “Shannon View” Bective as winner of the 2018 Jason Goodwin Memorial Shield for his export weight (50+kg) lambs. Robert took out the title for his “hand-picked” pen of 70-76 kg, Jan and July shorn lambs off barley grain and hay sourced from South Australia. They were knocked down by agent Simon Burke to RJ Fletcher for $300 with Robert donating $300 to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
Virbac Weaner Challenge
Neil & Beth Higgins, "Old Crockford" Nowendoc
Outstanding Nowendoc black baldy weaners keep title on tablelands
Neil and Beth Higgins, “Old Crockford”, Nowendoc have taken out the 5th Virbac Weaner Challenge with their outstanding quality Angus x Hereford weaner steers (pictured) sold through Chris Paterson Livestock and described by judge, Rob McCarthy as “big, long, growthy steers”. They were knocked down for $980.
The Higgins break the (previously unbeaten) winning streak of the Haling Family from Woolbrook who have won the past 4 titles and sold their complete drop of weaners today. The best pen of heifers went to Colly Creek Pastoral Co, “Colly Creek” Willow Tree for their Angus heifers sold through IML. Judge Rob McCarthy commended all vendors on producing “outstanding cattle in some of the worst conditions” and agents said the market was much better than expected given the recent trends and seasonal conditions.
2017
JV Goodwin Memorial Shield
Barton Partnership, "Dunreath" Garoo (IML)
Bartons Back Up for Second Title
Barton Partnership, “Dunreath” Garoo have taken out the Jason Goodwin Memorial Shield for the second year running. The Barton’s lambs won the medium trade weight (45-49.5kg) category before being announced as the Grand Champion Pen ahead of G&J Rogers, “Colly Plains North”, Quirindi who won for their light trade (40-44.5kg) lambs and the Aitken family, “Nekia Downs” Duri who won the export (50+kg) category. The shield was presented to Clive Barton by Jason Goodwin’s daughter, Millie as wife, Petah and children, Alex and Lewis, watched on.
Event Coordinator, Simon Burke described Jason as “a great young agent, bought down in his prime at age 36” adding that it was great to see his family on hand to present the shield named in his honour.
Virbac Weaner Challenge
T & T Haling, "Hillside Park" Woolomin (IML)
“Ladies day” in best sale ever
Thoroughbred racing has champion mare Winx set to steal the show tomorrow but Tony Haling coined today ‘Ladies Day” after the family''s heifers stole the Virbac Weaner Challenge, beating one of the best line-ups of weaners ever seen in Tamworth.
It was a remarkable result for Tony and Tania Haling, “Hillside Park” Woolbrook who make it four years in a row for the prestigious title. Judge Jeremy Cummins, Teys Australia said the Angus heifers were “a pen like no other, were exceptionally well bred and have a big future in the paddock.” The heifers sold through IML for $1440 - believed to be a record price for weaner heifers in Tamworth. Tony Haling was over the moon with prices today saying that last year his steers topped at $1100, compared to $1300 this year, and his heifers topped at “around $900” compared to today’s $1440.
2016
JV Goodwin Memorial Shield
Barton Partnership, Garoo(IML)
Bartons take title
With the livestock industry abuzz with record cattle prices, lambs stole the spotlight yesterday with the region’s best lambs competing for the JV Goodwin Memorial Shield.
Virbac Weaner Challenge
Tony & Tania Haling, "Hillside Park" Woolbrook (IML)
Trifecta for T & T
Tony & Tania Haling, Hillside Park, Woolbrook have taken out the Virbac Weaner Challenge for the third year running with their outstanding run of calves sold through IML. Champion pen (pictured top left) went to their Angus steers by Texas Angus and Pine Creek sires out of big frame Riverina bred cows. The Reserve Champion pen went to Pine Hill for their 8-9 month old Simmental steer calves sold through B&S. The Haling family also scooped the pool with their Charolais x Angus heifers by Palgrove bulls winning first place and their Angus heifers runner up. Judge, Rob McCarthy once again credited vendors on an outstanding job in a season where we had “5 minutes of good and the rest no good..”.