Agricultural
20 July, 2026
Success for Leon Limousins at Ekka
John and Karol Wilkes of Leon Limousins have won double Championships at the Royal Queensland Show's (Ekka) Prime and Feeder Cattle Competition.
The entrants were judged at the Dalby Saleyards earlier this month in the lead up to the Ekka on 8-16 August.
The Wilkes’ accolades included: first in the Pen of 3 Heifers - 481kg to 530kg, first in the Pen of 3 Steers - 481kg to 530kg, champion in the Pen of 3 Heifers Grain or Grain Assisted Fed, and champion in the Pen of 3 Steers Grain or Grain Assisted Fed.
John and Karol Wilkes began Leon Limousins as a stud in 1989.
For many years they showed cattle at Pittsworth and Millmerran, and supplied heifers for the Limousin Queensland Youth Camp, which has been held in Pittsworth over the years.
These days, Leon Limousins sells commercial beef and only purebred limousins.
The Wilkes currently have 150 breeders on their property, “Leon”, which spans 1,900 acres at Irongate.
Every three or four years, the Wilkes procure a new sire to introduce fresh blood into the herd.
“It gives us growth and quality cattle,” Mr Wilkes said.
“It’s hard to find good bulls, I select them from all over Australia.”
When finding the right stock, Mr Wilkes said he looks for good temperament, structure and walking ability with a balance in length and depth.
The Wilkes already plan to enter next year’s Ekka competition, as well as the Beef Australia competition at Rockhampton in May 2027.
More than $30,000 in prize money was awarded across the Ekka’s Prime and Feeder Cattle Competition, with the Wilkes set to receive $2,800 in spoils.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as throwing your hat in the ring and giving the competition a crack!
A record number of entries were received with 907 head of cattle entered, up from 161 in 2024.
That’s an increase of more than 450 per cent.
RNA Beef Committee Chair Gary Noller said the increase in entrants had strengthened the competition by better aligning it with commercial beef operations.
“The competition at Dalby Regional Saleyards is linked to a live sale, so the judging results have real commercial impact – strong performance can mean stronger prices for producers,” he said.
“The introduction of feeder classes has broadened the competition and made it more representative of the full beef supply chain.”
“We’re also seeing more cattle entered in the competition coming from accredited feedlots, reflecting closer alignment with commercial beef production standards,” Mr Noller said.
“The record number of entries this year shows the refreshed competition has been very well received by the beef industry.”
Mr Wilkes said entering the competition was worthwhile, and the support from his stock agent, Jason Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Livestock Agencies at Millmerran, was invaluable.
Mr Fitzgerald said Leon Limousins is well known in market, and always had good quality cattle.
In 2021, Leon Limousins received a great honour, being named Most Outstanding MSA Beef Producer Band 2 in Queensland with 98.9 per cent compliant purebred Limousin cattle.
