Upgrades for Raff Angus with Royal Melbourne Show success

A King Island-bred Angus bull has taken centre stage at the prestigious Royal Melbourne Show, securing top honours for Raff Angus Cattle and cementing the island’s reputation for producing some of the nation’s best livestock.

Raff Upgrade U325, a 31-month-old sire weighing 1170 kilograms, claimed both Senior and Grand Champion Angus Bull before being selected in the Top Five Interbreed line-up.

With an Eye Muscle Area of 142 square centimetres and 12/12mm fat coverage, the bull impressed judge Erica Halliday of Ben Nevis Angus Stud, who praised his strong top line, clean skin type, tidy underline, and excellent feet and legs.

Upgrade’s story is firmly rooted on King Island.

An IVF-born bull raised on the island, he worked several breeding seasons locally before being trucked earlier this year to the Raff family’s “Brooklyn West” property south of Wagga Wagga.

His pedigree traces back to 2006, when Andrew and Anna Raff flew to South Dakota, USA, leaving their then-toddler Harry and baby Charlie in Adelaide with grandparents, to secure elite genetics at the famous Hoff Scotch Cap Dispersion Sale.

Among the 800 lots sold that day was Hoff Blackbird 5217, the cow who became the granddam of Upgrade.

For Andrew and Anna, the win was more than just another ribbon.

“Showing is one of the last frontiers where phenotype and raw performance are scrutinised without scientific evaluation,” they said.

“It’s a platform where breeders can compare not only within their breed but also against the very best from other breeds.”

The Melbourne campaign was also a true family affair, with the next generation — Ben, Georgina and Olivia — deeply involved in the long hours of preparation, from 2am starts to washing, bedding, feeding, and handling cattle in the ring.

They also competed in Paraders’ Competitions, gaining valuable hands-on experience.

It marked a special milestone for Raff Angus.

In 1977, the family first exhibited a Grand Champion Bull at the Melbourne Royal.

Forty-eight years later, they returned to the same arena, humbled once again by the recognition.

“Upgrade is a very long, powerful bull with tremendous weight for age,” Halliday said. “He represents the strength and consistency of the Angus breed  - and of King Island genetics.”