Carcase consistency at Elite validated by success on the hook at Wingham

Elite Poll Herefords has had back-to-back success with a purebred steer in the school steer challenge of the 2023 Wingham Beef Week carcase competition.

Prepared by Scone Grammar School, the 12-month-old steer, Dougie, had a liveweight of 355kg, carcase weight of 188.5kg and a dressing percentage of 53.1.

Placing second in the 336-370kg class, the carcase had a P8 fat depth of 10mm, 4mm on the rib, an eye muscle area of 82sqcm, and MSA Index of 63.37 and total score of 88.79.

The steer went on to win reserve champion lightweight steer on the hoof and hook in the event held on May 8-12.

A second Elite steer exhibited by St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen, had the highest MSA Index score of 63.12 in the light middleweight 406-440kg liveweight and was fourth in the class.

All entries were processed by Wingham Beef Exports, NSW.

A Brangus/Hereford steer exhibited by St Pauls College, Walla Walla, placed third in the light middleweight carcase class.

Wingham Beef Week is a community-based event with a week-long program focusing on all facets of the beef industry.

It provides students, juniors and producers with an opportunity to participate in assessment, meat judging, beef appreciation workshops, parading and judging competitions.

It was back-to-back success for Elite Poll Herefords, Scone, NSW, after competing in the 2022 competition with a steer prepared by Scone Grammar School, scoring 92.01 points, placing second in the heavyweight class.

Elite principal Kay Payne said the competition validated the commercial emphasis of the stud’s selection program, with the steer by Herefords Australia Super Sire Elite M202 Q008.

In the past the stud has competed with success in the Sydney RAS steer competition and the Sydney RAS Beef Challenge with a silver medal in the taste test as well as supplying European Union accredited steers to Caroona Feedlot achieving an average marbling of 2.8.

Kay aims for the on-farm advantage of calving ease and good growth to 400 days to turn commercial progeny off within the first 12 months.

“Quick growth in the first 12 months is a big help for lowering ossification for MSA scores and lifting meat quality and weight for age,” she said.

“We aim for muscling to achieve the top yield combined with IMF for marbling and adequate fat.

“The results at Wingham vindicate the consistent carcase selection direction I’ve taken as they were the only purebred Herefords in the competition standing up beside European crossbreds.

“Both steers were from first calf heifers, demonstrating the strength and direction of our program.

“The sire of the steer prepared by St Josephs, Aberdeen, has high calving ease genetics plus high carcase attributes, and has been extensively used in AI programs in Tasmania.”

In the past three years the Elite steers have consistently scored around the 90 points on the hook in the Wingham competition.

“Both current steers scored exceptionally well for eating quality with an MSA Index over 63,” Kay said.

“EBVs have proven good predictors of both carcase and overall performance. To do well in these carcase competitions the animal needs very good muscling.”

Elite Poll Herefords have provided steers to the regional schools for more than two decades.

“It transforms some of the kids, being responsible for the animal, taking leadership and giving them self-confidence – they just blossom. Many of them are not country kids so it gives them a different perspective and understanding.”

Kay supports the regional schools with steers to compete at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza, Scone, and Wingham Beef Week.

She normally sells steers to JBS Scone or the Caroona feedlot, receiving feedback on carcase performance and MSA compliance.

“The feedback from both schools consistently say the docility of the Herefords make them ideal to halter break and prepare, especially for the children who are not used to cattle,” Kay said.