A 12-month-old Limousin steer bred by the Gommers family’s Mandayen stud at Keith took out the coveted grand champion steer on-hoof title.
Mandayen Spence’s Fred was exhibited by Thomas Spence, Keith.
Thomas’ dad and Spence Dix & Co director Jono Spence said they picked the steer out as a calf back in February.
Mr Spence said even then it stood out for its high-yielding traits.
“It’s by a sire – RUNL Xtra Loyal 644X – that is known to breed soft, easy-fleshing cattle,” he said.
Mr Spence said the steer had been fed on Hills Farm Supplies stock-feed to prepare it for the show.
The steer weighed 495 kilograms, and had 11-millimetre rump fat, 6mm rib fat and an 113-square centimetre eye muscle area.
When the calf first came out for judging, Thomas Foods International assistant livestock buyer and judge Ben Davies said it stood out, despite there being a very even line-up in the class.
“The steer in first place has the highest eye muscle area and a great top-line,” he said.
“It’s hard to get a steer with this much capacity and muscle expression.”
When it came to judging the steer for the heavy domestic championship, Mr Davies again could not go past Spence’s Fred.
“This steer is really one that’s out of the box, it’s a real meat machine,” he said.
“To get a steer with this weight-for-age, this much eye muscle area and with this hind-quarter, it’s a credit to the breeder.”
It was also a great day out for Tom and Lizzy Baker, of the Woonallee Simmental stud, Furner, with both leading their champion and reserve champion export steers.
Their champion was a 17-month-old – Woonallee Metwurst. It weighed 755kg with 13mm rump fat, 13mm rib fat and 121sqcm EMA.
The stud’s reserve champion – Woonallee Marshmellow – was also 17-months-old. It weighed 735kg with 12mm rump fat, 12mm rib fat and 114sqcm EMA.
Mr Davies said both were very good examples of the Simmental breed.
“They’re a great representation of where the industry is going with yield and quality,” he said.
Mr Davis said the export champ was full in the twist and had great depth of body.
“It’s also showing a fantastic top-line and is beautifully presented,” he said.
When judging the export championship, Mr Davies said Metwurst stood out because it was carrying the most amount of fat cover.
“It’s got very good rib and rump fat,” he said.
For the third time in four years, Kyla Park’s Willows Rest Square Meater stud, Springton, won champion light domestic steer on-hoof.
The champion – Zeus – was 12-months-old.
The steer weighed 395kg with 9mm rump fat, 8mm rib fat and 82sqcm EMA. It was led by Mrs Palk’s daughter Jacqui.
Mr Davies said the champion had great carcase attributes, yield potential and was structurally sound.
“I like its weight and fat distribution and it also walks well,” he said.
Clare High School student Isabelle Portis led the reserve champion light domestic steer – a Murray Grey from the Ballyvaughan stud, Blyth.
Ballyvaughan Murray was 14-months-old and weighed 420kg. It measured 8mm for rump fat, 8mm for rib fat and 73sqcm EMA.
Leading the reserve champion heavy domestic steer was Wudinna Area School student Georgina Standley-Grace.
Otis, bred by Kevandale Pty Ltd, was 12-months-old and weighed 495kg.
The steer had 14mm rump fat, 9mm rib fat and 96sqcm EMA.