RISING to the top of the 390 strong steer competiton at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza, Scone, over the weekend was a purebred Murray Grey steer that’s combination of carcase quality aspects made it unstoppable.
The 602 kilograms led heavy weight exhibit from St Mary’s College, Gunnedah, Heath Birchall, Duri, and Wallawong Premium Beef, Curlewis, was named the recipient of the Stan Watson Memorial trophy for the supreme exhibit of the show following a tough showdown.
Judge Greg Ball, Bowmans Creek near Singleton, said the steer was a combination of everything he looks for in a good steer.
“He is safe. He has the muscle, the yield and the overall finish that will allow him to hang up well and do well on the carcase,” Mr Ball said.
“He is spot on in the fats, he has a heap of EMA (eye muscle area) in him and the yield and overall softness he shows makes him an ideal steer.”
Bred by Heath Birchall from Karloo Park, Duri, the steer was sired by Wallawong Yearbook – a bull Mr Birchall had bought privately from Wallawong Murray Grey stud, Curlewis, a few years ago.
“We normally join around 110 purebred Murray Grey breeders a year and we have been based on Wallawong bloodlines for about 15 years now,” Mr Birchall said.
“We have been doing the steers together with the James family from Wallawong for a few years now, and this would be one of the biggest wins along with a win in the Beef Australia 2018 National Beef Carcase Competition earlier this year.”
The impressive steer first rose to the top of the led section, overcoming 345 steers earlier in the day to take out grand champion led animal sponsored by Waverley Station, along with highest placed purebred led steer.
It was then taken out to the unled pens to go up against the unled champion exhibited by Calrossy Anglican School, Tamworth, who it overcame for the top-title.
Calrossy’s champion unled winner, sponsored by The Belmore Hotel, was a Charolais cross Angus steer that weighed 455kg and came from the middleweight unled section.
Mr Ball, judge of both the led and unled sections, said the steer was soft and had an exceptionally strong topline with a good finish on him.
Other results in the led section (345 head):
- Lightweight - Hunday Pastoral Co (Limousin x Hereford)
- Reserve lightweight - Wingham High School (Charolais x Angus
- Light middleweight - St Joseph's Aberdeen (Limousin x Angus)
- Reserve light middleweight - St Catherines Catholic College Singleton (Angus female)
- Heavy middleweight - St Catherines Catholic College Singleton (Speckle Park/Angus x Limousin/Murray Grey)
- Reserve heavy middleweight - Swincreek Show Steers, Porter family (Limousin)
- Heavyweight - St Mary's College, H Birchall & Wallawong Premium Beef (Murray Grey)
- Reserve heavyweight - Yass High School & Sarana Limousins (Limousin)
Results in the unled section (36 head and 3 teams of 3):
- Lightweight - DSK Angus & Charolais (Angus steer)
- Middleweight - Calrossy Anglican School (Charolais x Angus steer)
- Light heavyweight - St Catherines Catholic College Singleton (Charolais x Angus)
- Heavy heavyweight - Lane Evans (Limousin)
- Unled pen of three – The memory of Brian James (South Devon x)
- Champion - middleweight from Calrossy (Charolais x Angus steer)
- Reserve champion - heavy heavyweight from Lane Evans (Limousin)
- Highest placed purebred - heavy heavyweight from Lane Evans (Limousin)
The full results from the 2018 Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza, including carcase results, will be in the November 8 issue of The Land.
