Chenu scores RAS three-peat

The rising 18-month-old heifer, Chenu Rebecca 3, was exhibited by Rebecca Keeley and Colin Pickering's Chenu Charolais stud, Bridgewater, Vic.

The stud has won the title for the third successive year.

Mr Green said the heifer stood out because of her rib shape and capacity, together with excellent extension through the front end.

"She has softness, capacity and production and longevity built in, in terms of phenotype," he said.

Mr Green said the heifer also had power through her hip and solid muscle in her "lower third".

She was sashed reserve junior champion Charolais heifer at this year's Bendigo National Beef show.

Another Chenu exhibit, a cow and calf package from their renowned Pussycat line, was the senior champion cow.

Chenu Pussycat 18 had started winning two years ago when she was sashed supreme Charolais exhibit in 2011.

This year, the four year old had a four-month-old heifer calf. And Mr Green said she was doing an exceptional job.

Chenu went on to win the sires' progeny group and the breeder's group awards.

He also won the supreme broad ribbon from senior and grand champion bull Boulview Gardiner, exhibited by the Fodgen family, Loxton.

Two-year-old Gardiner weighed 910 kilograms and had an eye muscle area of 135 centimetres.

Mr Green said the senior bull was extremely sound and excelled in structure, with integrity of body and shape.

Earlier in the judging, brother and sister had battled it out for grand champion bull accolades, with Thomas and Alizah Fogden exhibiting the senior and junior champions respectively.

While the senior bull won, Mr Green said the bulls were of similar type and kind.

The junior bull, Boulview Hudson, weighed 680kg at 16 months and had an EMA of 100cm.

Mr Green said Hudson, the youngest bull on show in the judging, had plenty of stretch and growth, which would equate to more market versatility.

* Full report in Stock Journal, September 19 issue, 2013.