ANGUS breeders scored a royal coup during Prince William's first official trip Down Under last week.
According to Angus Australia, the second-in-line to the British throne dined on a fillet of Angus beef at a dinner hosted by Governor-General Quentin Bryce at Admiralty House in Sydney.
It appears the royals have a close association with the Angus breed.
Queen Victoria became the patron of the Aberdeen Angus Society in 1881, and her descendants have held the position ever since.
The Queen Mother - William's great-grandmother - served as the society's patron for 67 years.
His father, Prince Charles, is the current patron.
William's visited Sydney and Melbourne during his two-day tour.
Balla Balla, Red Cactus success
STEPHEN and Judy Coles, of Balla Balla stud at Cannons Creek, and Ross Draper, of Red Cactus at Arthurs Creek, were successful in the Red Poll On Farm Challenge last week.
The studs claimed the champion female and champion bull awards respectively from a field of 111 Red Poll cattle judged by Ian Moreland of Studcare Genetics.
Unique for its on-property format, entries in the challenge were presented in paddock condition and judged on characteristics related to productivity and fertility.
Mr Moreland said he was impressed by some of the cattle he saw and would accordingly adjust his perceptions concerning the structure and calving-ease of Red Poll cattle.
- Send your stud news to Matilda Abey, The Weekly Times, PO Box 14999, Melbourne, 8001, email abeym@theweeklytimes.com.au or fax (03) 9292 2697.
