By Matthew Pearce
You might expect to find cattle judging at an agricultural show, but Queensland Goat Producers Inc will bring a different kind of event to the Springsure Show – goat judging.
The Springsure Show will be held on Friday, 2 June and Saturday, 3 June at the showgrounds in Barcoo St.
Showgoers can view the goats on the Friday, as well as visit the QGOAT expert tent, with talks on parasite control, Maremma livestock guardian dogs and more.
Judging will be held on Saturday, with meat goat producers travelling from as far as Cairns to compete for a range of prizes, including a $1000 cash prize for Grand Champion Doe.
Queensland Goat Producers Inc chair Glenda Henry said about 188 goats were on display last year, and while numbers won’t be quite that high this year, she’s still expecting good attendance, especially for the free educational tent.
No bookings are required for the free tent, and many of the topics are also relevant to sheep.
Glenda said goat meat was gaining in popularity, despite the lack of availability in Australia.
“We need to build a domestic market for goat meat… You can’t just walk into a butcher shop or supermarket and get goat meat,” she said.
“This is despite it being the healthiest red meat there is available.
“Goat meat is quite similar to lamb, it’s just not as high in fat content.”
Queensland Goat Producers Inc is working to raise awareness of the industry, with members attending upcoming events in Charters Towers and Cairns as well as Ag-Grow in Emerald.
Glenda said goat farming offered many benefits to producers, including rotational grazing and weed and regrowth control.
“They are a really positive asset on a property… you can carry four goats with every beast without actually degenerating your land.”
Another highlight of the Springsure Show will be the inaugural Springsure Show Brumby Challenge.
Over the past 12 months, locals have taken on the challenge of training brumbies from Mount Kosciuszko and the wild horses will be put through their paces with a competition for Best Ridden Brumby and Led Brumby.
Ranger Nick is bringing his camp oven cooking back to the show after a few years away, with other entertainment including a petting zoo, living statues, fireworks and a live band.
Mary O’Brien, founder and CEO of Are You Bogged Mate? will give a presentation on men’s mental health.
The show committee is looking for more teams for the tractor pull, which will be held at the Springsure Show for the first time this year.
Other attractions at the show will include horse events, stud cattle, prime cattle, sheep and wool, poultry and dog trials, as well as competitions in the pavilion including flowers, floral art, cookery, jams, preserves and sweets, photography, fine arts, sewing, patchwork, quilting, scrapbooking, homebrew and more.