THE PARTNERSHIP of Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda, and Sandra Keatley's Pebbly Range Limousin stud, Tungkillo, has produced a sixth grand champion led steer on-hoof.
Grand champion - Pebbly Range Popeye - came from the school steer heavy domestic class. It weighed 525 kilograms with measurements of 103 square centimetres of eye muscle area, 9 millimetres P8 fat and 7mm rib fat.
The steer took out the champion heavy domestic steer.
Judge John Manchee, Manchee Agriculture, Narrabri, NSW, runs a commercially orientated Shorthorn herd, Yamburgan.
He runs 1300 cows and has judged at every major show in Australia.
Mr Manchee said he was looking for a good "chassis" in his steers.
"It's all about profitability in the carcase," he said.
"It's easy to put muscle on a carcase, but it's hard to get softness.
"We have to have a good eating experience for everyone eating what we produce."
As soon as the grand champion steer came into the ring, it caught Mr Manchee's eye.
"I really like this steer, he's got a lovely feel," Mr Manchee said.
"He's well-sprung with good eye muscle and he's carrying his carcase very well."
When it came to judging champion heavy domestic steer, Pebbly Range Popeye was the clear winner.
"When you feel this steer's hindquarter, this is a very sound steer and he's going to hang up very well," Mr Manchee said.
Pebbly Range Popeye was the standout again in the competition for grand champion.
"This steer carries an enormous amount of yield," Mr Manchee said.
"It has to be the overall winner for its structural correctness, evenness and potential."
Reserve champion heavy domestic went to a steer from Matt Jaensch's Big River Murray Grey stud - Big River Perseus - exhibited by Murray Bridge High School.
The steer weighed 485kg, with 89sqcm EMA, 11mm P8 fat and 8mm rib fat.
"I really wanted to use this fella higher up, for his overall yield capacity," Mr Manchee said.
"If you look behind his shoulder, there's a massive amount of yield."
Winner of the champion export steer was Pintrellen Merv, from Bruce Treloar's Tintinara stud and shown by Tintinara Area School.
The steer weighed 640kg, with 101sqcm EMA, 15mm P8 fat and 12mm rib fat.
"When you see behind the shoulder of this steer he's very hard to go past," Mr Manchee said.
Reserve champion export steer went to the Glental Simmental stud, Meningie, with Glental Hyperno.
The steer weighed 735kg, with 115sqcm EMA, 11mm P8 fat and 10mm rib fat.
"I really admire the muscle to fat ratio in this steer," Mr Manchee said.
Two steers from Kyla Palk's Willows Rest Square Meaters stud, Eden Valley, won both light domestic champion and reserve.
The champion - Willows Rest Hot Rox - weighed 415kg, with 75sqcm EMA, 7mm P8 fat and 5mm rib fat.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 18, 2014 issue.
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
