Red Angus/Limousin cross steer wins Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza

Switching to a fully unled competition due to COVID-19 and the restrictions in place for NSW, the event's live judging component was officiated by Chris Dobie of Nutrien Scone and Merriwa at the Scone saleyards on October 24.

Off the back of a grand champion carcase win at the Sydney Royal Show in April, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes, exhibited the 560 kilogram Red Angus/Limousin cross steer known as "Red" which made its way to the top of the strong field of 134 steer and seven heifers entered from across the state.

Coming out of a competitive heavyweight section to win overall champion, Mr Dobie said he had "stood out all day".

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"When you get to stand over him you really appreciate him," he said. "I like the profile of this steer, he has width all the way through the top line, a very strong eye muscle area and he fills himself out well. He is well covered, and will have the right amount of fat."

Sired by a three-quarter Red Angus bull and out of a Limousin cow, the spring 2020-drop steer - which was also the heavyweight champion - was bred by Jim Jolife, Singleton, and purchased from Christie Fuller of Diamond Angus, Cowra.

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Red Bend Catholic College's Susan Earl said they had been preparing the steer since April on the school's custom ration mixed by local Santa Gertrudis producer Dennis Moxey, Denngal stud, Forbes.

"Jim Jolife rung me once 'Red' had won and was so excited," Ms Earl said.

"He has been a competitor at Scone for many years in the unled section, and five years ago when we won (led and overall champion during) live judging his steer won champion unled, and they went up against each other.

Ms Earl said Mr Jolife's best mate was the late Stan Watson, so it was a very special win for him.

The supreme exhibit went on to score 88.27 points and place fifth in his heavyweight class during the carcase judging.

Red Bend Catholic College also exhibited the reserve champion heavyweight steer, a purebred Limousin weighing 558kg which was bred by Phil and Sheridan Kirk's Wilworril Limousins, Peak Hill who have produced a number of successful steers in the past.

In all, Red Bend exhibited eight steers including a Charolais/Angus cross steer called "Dream" bred by previous Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza judge Brett Littler, Mudgee, which placed first in the live classes and second on the hook.

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Champion middleweight went to Macey Wake with a Limousin/Wagyu cross steer weighing 526kg, while reserve champion middleweight went to Macarthur Anglican School, Cobbitty, with its 459kg Limousin steer.

Champion purebred went to a 433kg Limousin steer and champion prime heifer went to a 443kg Limousin heifer, both exhibited by Scone Grammar School and Tom and Julie Morton.

Reserve champion prime heifer went to a Murray Grey from Wallawong Premium Beef, Curlewis and Heath Birchall, Duri, which weighed 564kg.

An inaugural beef appreciation competition, whereby the entrant is required to place a class of animals by using videos to predict the fat, eye muscle area and dressing percentage of the animal's carcase, drew 170 participants including some from as far away as Gin Gin in Queensland.

Overall champion beef appreciation judge went to year 7/8 winner Ella Saul of Kempsey High School student, while reserve went to year 9/10 winner Isabella Rice, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes.

The open masters section was won by Bruce Sternbeck, the primary age group was won by Zach Neal of St Lawrence's Catholic Primary School, Coonabarabran and the year 11/12 class had three equal winners; Poppy Shearman of Scone Grammar School, Katie Sutcliffe, St Joseph's High School Aberdeen, and Matilda Jane Sternbeck, St Catherine's Catholic College, Singleton.

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