Celebrating its 27th anniversary, the 2024 RNA Paddock to Palate competition demonstrated that for superior eating quality and weight gain off both grass and grain, you can’t go past Hereford.
The competition is one of Australia’s richest beef supply chain competitions offering almost $55,000 in prize money and comprising the best aggregate weight gain, carcase and MSA (Meat Standards Australia) eating quality.
The competition is split into three classes: 70-day HGP Trade, 100-day HGP Export and 100-day HGP-free Export into which producers enter pens of six steers fed at JBS Australia’s beef City Feedlot, Toowoomba, Qld.
The winners across all phases were awarded at the RNA Paddock to Palate beef industry dinner presented by JBS Australia at the Brisbane Showgrounds on August 8.
Devon Court Herefords, of Drillham, Queensland, entered six teams of Hereford and Hereford infused (black baldy) steers.
In the 70-day HGP trade class, Devon Court had the highest individual Meat Standards Australia index of 60.47, placed fourth overall on 656.5 points and was third for MSA eating quality on 335.25 points from the 112 entries from 16 exhibitors.
The high scoring MSA Index Hereford steer had an ossification (measure of the physiological maturity of the beef carcase) score of 110, lean meat yield of 60.17 per cent, and marble score 2.
In the feedlot phase, the Devon Court team was second in the individual weight gain average at 2.53kg per day, with the team averaging 2.42kg/day – +0.14kg per day above the class average of 2.28kg.
In the 100-day export HGP free class, Devon Court placed first in the eating quality pen of six on 324.81 points and a black baldy steer had the highest individual MSA index score 67.04 from the largest class in the competition with 252 entries.
Sired by a Devon Court Hereford bull and out of a commercial black baldy female, the steer had a marble score 3, ossification of 110, eye muscle area of 93sqcm, dressing percentage of 54.02 and lean meat yield of 58.8 per cent.
From a feedlot entry weight of 420kg, the steer achieved an average daily gain of 2.14kg and a carcase weight of 342.5kg
The Devon Court team’s average carcase weight was 322kg, a dressing percentage of 53.6, rib fat 8.5mm, marble score 1.71, eye muscle area 74.43sqcm, lean meat yield 59.14 per cent, and an MSA Index of 63.63.
Mr Nixon said the results for the purebred Hereford steers reinforced the breed’s superior carcase attributes for eating quality along with weight gain off grass and grain.
He said the steers were vaccinated pre-feedlot entry with Bovilis MH + IBR and their docility meant they quickly settled onto feed.
With a strong focus on carcase quality in his own breeding program, Mr Nixon entered the competition to validate his cattle’s ability to perform in feedlots and in the chiller for marbling, MSA compliance and on the MSA Index for eating quality.
“The average induction weight of the Devon Court Hereford steers in class 38 (70 day HGP trade) was 342kg with an impressive daily gain of 2.42kg in the JBS Beef City Feedlot.”
Mr Nixon said the competition exposed his cattle to potential buyers resulting in commercial advantages.
“We are talking with local butchers all the time and these carcase competitions definitely get us into those conversations.”
Grass fed Devon Court beef is value added into a gourmet pie served at the annual bull sale with all funds going back to the Dulacca Kindergarten.
Rib fillet and striploin steaks from the winning 100-day grain fed Devon Court steers in the 2024 RNA Paddock to Palate will be served under the Royal 100 brand at the Miles Windsor Hotel Motel.
The steaks have been selected by JBS Australia and will be prepared by T&J Butchery, Miles.
Mr Nixon said heavy rain and humidity had made feeding conditions challenging for the Paddock to Palate competition steers, but the health status and immune competence of the Herefords shone through.
“Hopefully these results encourage other producers of Hereford and Hereford infused cattle to enter the competition. If any commercial or seedstock producers would like to talk about how to enter, I would be only too happy to go through what’s involved.”
A Hereford steer entered by Tom Nixon, Devon Court Herefords, Drillham, placed second in the weight gain of the feedlot phase with an average daily gain of 2.53kg per day. Images Devon Court
Hereford and Hereford infused steers from Devon Court performed well across all phases of the 2024 RNA Paddock to Palate feedlot and carcase competition.
