19-year-old Maddy Telford from Barham has taken out the top gong of Supreme Exhibit with her 14-month-old red Angus bull at this year’s Melbourne Royal Show. 

“I knew he’d go alright in his class, but I wasn’t too sure how he’d go to take out supreme. We were against a junior heifer to take out supreme,” said the MGT Cattle Co. owner.

The winning bull is the grandson of the cow that Maddy had success with last year.  

Maddy started showing cattle when she was twelve.

“I started showing through Barham High School. We had an ag. teacher there that we used to take steers to Melbourne with.

“The networking is insane with the showing of the cattle and the beef industry, it also helps with work.”

Maddy said that keeping the feed up to the young bull and having a great structure was key to her success.

“I believe pumping the feed into them to get that weight on.

“He’s a really big boy for his age and moves really well and free.

“He’s going to grow out and put a lot more weight on.”

Weighing 666kg at the show, the young bull had an eye muscle area (EMA) score of 117.

“It’s the structure and getting the feed on them before the show, really shows off their potential.”

The bull with accolades to its name will now hit the market, with Maddy looking to take his mum, who will be in calf at next year’s show.

Another highlight for Maddy this year was the honour of being asked to be the associate judge for the Simmental breed alongside Mr Scott Myers.

Maddy is also using her ever-growing skillset to work with other studs such as Jackungah Speckle Park, where they looked after 13 Speckle Park cattle for show, and some additional Simmental and Limousin cattle, bringing the total to 20. 

Work will now begin on the preparations for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 5 October 2023.