THE results are in and the Limousin breed has taken out the Merriwa Show Feedback Trial.
Held from June 15 to October 6, the feedback trial aimed to provide relevant and reliable feedback data to participants. It is a great opportunity to benchmark cattle and help boost the performance of beef herds across the state.
In partnership with Woolworths and Alexander Downs, the show’s hoof and hook competition is like no other outside a major royal show.
Steers were fed at Alexander Downs Feedlot, Merriwa, for 91 days before judging on the hoof at the Merriwa Springtime Show on September 16.
They then returned to the feedlot for a final 20 days before processing at Woolworths’ Tamworth facility.
A total of 180 entries of purebred and crossbred cattle from beef breeders across the state showed strengths in a range of areas.
But consistency was the key for Lyndhurst Limousin breeders, Ashley and Stacey Clark, Clark Livestock, who won the overall champion pen title at the awards night on October 13.
Although they were unplaced during live judging and didn’t win a section of the competition, the Clarks’ pen of three Limousin steers proved uniformity triumphs over all.
Placing second in class one of the carcase section with a total pen score of 243 out of 300, the pen then returned the third highest profit with a margin of $206 per head pocketed.
The Clarks run a Limousin-based herd with emphasis on retaining females, softness and yield. They are based on Summit Livestock genetics.
It was the first year they had taken part because it was the first year it had opened up to broader NSW.
“In all reality it is exceptional. Get away from the steers shows and get back to the real world,” Mr Clark said
With an overall team point score of 459 out of a maximum 600, the winning pen beat three Angus steers exhibited by Merriwa breeders, Coolie Angus, that scored 455.5.
Coolie Angus’ pen had been successful in the profitability section of the trial placing second with an average return of $207 per head.
Merriwa Show beef cattle captain, Tony Inder, Merriwa, said the standard of cattle entered was very high.
