DESPITE coming from a family of Santa Gertrudis breeders, it was Will Weirs' Brahman bulls that won over the judge at the Alice Springs, NT, Show during judging on Friday.
The mature bull, WTW Texas, came from a competitive 'any other breed' section to be sashed supreme champion bull, and was praised as a "true advocate of the Brahman breed" by judge Rebecca Skene, Meldon Park Simmentals, Cecil Plains, Qld.
"I really like this bull - it's got a good head, stands on plenty of bone, with plenty of meat," she said. "I love the head and neck of the bull, it's length and it's standing of great feet and legs."
Texas also won the champion NT-bred bull for the second-year running.
Mr Weir, Ammaroo Station, via Alice Springs, said he had always had a passion for Brahmans, which inspired him to start his own herd.
During his school work experience, three years ago, he went to work with Andrew and Roxanne Olive, Raglan Brahmans, Raglan, Qld.
While there, he bought some heifers and a bull from the stud, which kick-started his own WTW herd.
"I was lucky enough to buy a cow in calf to Raglan Victory, one of their top sires," he said. "It had a bull calf, which is Texas."
Mr Weir said he had a soft spot for Texas.
"It was my first stud Brahman calf, and has always been a perfect bull," he said.
"Temperament, looks, structure, (Texas) is everything I want in a bull, rolled into one."
Nineteen-year-old Mr Weir has since bought another 20 heifers from Raglan and has a herd of 70 cows altogether.
He is breeding bulls to supply to his family's commercial operation but eventually plans to register his stud and sell bulls across the NT and interstate, as well as compete at bigger shows.
Mr Weir also won the under 18 months and the 18-24 month classes with his Brahmans, as well as the unled pen of two bulls.
"It's a nice bonus, and it lets me know my cattle are on the right track," he said.
In the other breeds, the champion Hereford bull was the entry from the 18 to 24-month-old class, from Undoolya, exhibited by Will Turner, Alice Springs.
Ms Skene praised the bull for its correct structure.
"It has plenty of natural softness and good muscle expression in the hind quarter area, which is where most of the money comes from," she said.
The Santa Gertrudis champion bull was the under-18 month bull, shown by Brooke Weir, TBW Santa Gertrudis, Ammaroo Station.
"It was a bull with good growth for age, at only 12 months old," Ms Skene said.
Droughtmaster champion bull Savannah Teddy was exhibited by the NT Department of Education.
Ms Skene said the 19-month-old bull showed good growth for its age, and was strong in the topline with natural softness.
The champion NT-bred pen of steers was shown by Steve Hayes, The Garden Station, via Alice Springs.
Ms Skene said the chance to judge at Alice Springs was an "eye opener".
"It's great to see the different practices to what we're used to in Qld and to get an understanding of those," she said.