Herefords have proven their finishing ability off grass by placing second overall for average daily gain and carcase results, plus the highest carcase score as a pair in Australia’s only grass-fed trial at the 48th Lardner Park Steer Trial in Victoria.
The trial results were announced at Farm World at Lardner Park, Warragul, on March 24.
First time entrant Alistair Black, Riverline Herefords, Sale, Vic, was runner-up in the combined weight gain and carcase award on a total of 217.23 points with his pair of purebred steers.
Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Vic, won the highest carcase score as a pair on an average of 88.72 points.
At the fifth and final weigh in November, the steers entered by Mr Black notched up individual average daily gains of 1.65kg and 1.28kg to give an overall average of 1.46kg. The average overall daily gain for the trial was 1.24kg.
Mr Black’s top steer was second overall in the individual average daily gain for the trial.
It was a first-time entry in the trial for the fourth generation commercial Hereford producer, who selected his steers on evenness and type.
The overall winner was Malcolm Reedy, Eagle Rock Angus, Garfield, Vic, on 1.56kg with his pair of Angus steers and the top individual average daily gain of 1.67kg.
Eight producers with 12 purebred and Hereford cross teams entered the trial which began in July 2023 with 68 mixed breed steers entered from around Victoria from 25 producers.
The steers were grazed on a mix of ryegrass and clovers and supplemented with a molasses based mineral feed.
The steers were processed after 160 days on December 4 at JBS Brooklyn with the carcase data analysed by Agriculture Victoria. The average carcase weight was 269.8kg, average dressing percentage 52.7, average P8 fat depth 7.7mm, average rib fat 6mm, eye muscle area 66sqcm, ossification score of 123 and MSA Index of 61.72.
Mr Black’s pair of steers finished at 600kg and 550kg liveweight, 313kg and 282kg carcase weight, dressing percentages of 51.3 and 52.2, rib fat 7 and 5mm, 69 and 67 sqcm eye muscle area, and one of the highest MSA Index of 64.21 and 61.80.
Tim Hayes entered two teams with his top team having a carcase weight of 266 and 273kg, eye muscle area of 70 and 73 sqcm, rib fat of 8 and 7mm, and MSA Index of , to win the carcase score and place the team sixth overall.
The black baldy team from Barb Stewart, Riverbend, Kernot, had an average daily gain of 1.39kg and placed fourth overall with a total score of 215.49.
A team from David Meikle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan, placed fifth overall on 210.26 points and had MSA Index scores of 61.37 and 60.45.
Two teams from Stan and Denise Walker, Charellen Poll Herefords, Pearsondale, recorded an average daily gain of 1.31 and 1.16kg, with the top team placing 10th overall.
Alistair Black likes the Hereford breed’s docility and doing ability, and in modern times has used River Perry, Charellan and Mawarra genetics.
He runs a herd of 65 spring calving breeding females on alluvial soils along the Thomson River in a 525mm rainfall zone with help from his son Tim.
The herd is accredited under the Greenhams Never Ever program with steers and surplus heifers either sold through Leongatha store and prime markets or direct to the processor or restocker, depending on market prices.
Mr Black said the positive feedback quantified his breeding program and bull selection criteria.
He intends to enter the competition in 2025 and considers it be a great learning exercise.
“The whole purpose of entering was to promote the breed.
“I have just sold steers and cull heifers finished on Greenhams Never Ever pellets for 70-90 days to Greenhams. It is nice to see how the Herefords do grow out under those grain-free pellets.”
Alistair Black, left, runner-up in the combined weight gain and carcase award, with Lardner Park trial manager Anthony Willems, centre.
Alistair Black with his Riverline Herefords herd at Sale
