Perth Royal Show: The Cabassi family of Billabong Dexters sweep the major specialty interbreed awards

The Cabassi family, of Oldbury-based Billabong Dexter stud, swept the awards at the Perth Royal Show’s Specialty Breeders Interbreed Cattle Competition, giving an indication that great things can come out of moderate framed cattle. The best of the previously judged Dexter cattle and Miniature Herefords were paraded before presiding judge Kerrie Sutherland, who runs the Thologolong Angus and Murray Grey stud at Albury in NSW. Ms Sutherland first had a look at the previously judged grand champion bulls including Billabong Simba, a Dexter bull over 21 months of age, and a Miniature Hereford bull, Paragon Lord Otis (AI (P), also over 21 months of age. “The Dexter bull has outstanding length, softness and extension through the neck — he is my pick for the interbreed champion,” she said. Billabong Simba, was sired by B Mufasa and out of B Miss Mango and was earlier judged supreme exhibit in the Dexter breed judging when pitted against Billabong Ruella, a 2020 June-drop cow, sired by B Zorba. Earlier in the Miniature Hereford breed judging, Paragon Lord Otis was described as having adequate muscling and good structure when it was sashed grand champion of the breed. Judge Ted Laurie, of Knowla Livestock in Moppy, NSW, said the Paragon bull was a “very safe” animal. Ms Sutherland then judged the interbreed grand champion females including Billabong Ruella and Paragan Lady Oprah, a June 2019-drop cow. Again she valued the extra softness and length of the Dexter cow, with its well-developed udder, against the Miniature Hereford cow. “This Dexter three-year-old Dexter cow on her second calf has overall length and softness and is wide across the top with great capacity,” Ms Sutherland said. During the Specialty Breeders Group of Three Interbreed Competition, Billabong won both awards for a group of three heifers and the breeders group of three interbreeds. Ms Sutherland said the Dexters were all very soft with long deep bodies and were excellent examples of the breed. “The Dexters expressed natural thickness with beautiful skin,” she said. Billabong Dexter stud co-principal Trish Cabassi said her family was excited to reclaim the interbreed titles. “We last won both interbreed grand champion titles in 2018 with our bull Mufassa and female Billabong Kinky,” she said. SPECIALTY BREEDERS INTERBREED COMPETITION Grand Champion Interbreed Bull: Billabong Grand Champion Interbreed Female: Billabong Champion Interbreed Group of Three Heifers: Billabong Champion Interbreed Group of Three Interbreeds: Billabong