Thoughts on Showing Cattle from a Stud Breeder

Jackaroo Angus Stud female Bara U29 and her calf - A cow and calf unit set for show success!

Last year was a good one for Jackaroo Angus Stud on the show circuit - Our foundational females shone in the show ring as we took home FIRST PLACE with Buxom Fancy T16 in Brisbane and Bara U29 collected SECOND PLACE in a competitive field at Melbourne and even more impressively, SECOND PLACE at the renowned Sydney Royal Easter show against the best-of-the-best. We hope to see similar success this year. We were also able to meet and catch up with lots of breeders and operators in the industry, who got to see our program's genetics up close, and we managed to sell alot of embryos from these show-winning females while we were at it!

As the Melbourne and Brisbane Shows approach and the team at Jackaroo Angus Stud prepares to show one of our foundation females (Bara U29) and her new Woodhill Comstock calf, we thought it was a good time to share some thoughts and insights into why we participate in the show circuit, and some of the benefits for a Stud Angus Breeder in being involved in these show events... Enjoy the read!

Benefits to a Stud Breeder of Showing Cattle

Marketing and Exposure

• Shows offer a high-profile platform to showcase genetics.

• Winning or placing well increases the reputation of the breeder and the stud.

• It builds brand recognition, particularly for new or expanding studs.

Proof of Quality

• Shows are a form of independent validation. Judges assess structural soundness, muscling, temperament, and breed standards.

• Awards and results can be used to justify higher prices for bulls, semen, or females.

• Helps promote animals as elite sires or dams, especially if they’re from a consistent show-winning bloodline

Benchmarking Against Peers

• Allows breeders to compare their cattle with others in the breed.

• Provides valuable insight into trends in conformation and market preferences.

Networking and Sales

• Shows bring together other breeders, commercial producers, and potential buyers.

• Opportunities to form stud alliances, sell cattle, semen, or embryos.

• Builds trust and credibility through in-person interaction.

Photographic and Media Opportunities

• Professional photos and media exposure from shows help create marketing content.

• These can be used in catalogues, social media, and semen directories.

Why Showing Cattle Still Has Commercial Relevance

Commercial Buyers Trust Visual Assessment

• Even in an age of EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values), many buyers still want to “see” the bull.

• Structural soundness, temperament, and muscling remain important to real-world performance

  
  

Brand Building Increases Sale Values

• A strong show presence can create a premium brand, resulting in higher-priced bulls or semen.

• Buyers often pay more for animals from proven, visible studs.

  
  

Reputation and Legacy

• For long-term success, studs need to build generational trust and legacy.

• Show wins are a timeless way to cement a stud’s place in the breed’s history and pedigree relevance.

Attracting Partnerships and AI Companies

• Artificial Insemination (AI) companies are more likely to collect and promote sires with visual appeal and show presence.

• Elite show animals often gain wider national or international exposure.

  
  

Helps Commercial Producers Select

• Studs that show cattle help educate and guide commercial producers on what to look for in bulls.

• Commercial buyers want traits that translate into profit — muscle, structure, fertility, and temperament — all visible in the show ring.

For stud breeders, showing cattle is more than tradition — it’s a strategic business tool. It enhances credibility, increases market reach, and supports the commercial appeal of their genetics. Even with genomic tools and data-driven breeding, presentation, branding, and physical appraisal still matter — especially for buyers seeking reliability and performance in the paddock.