The Southern Grassfed Carcase Classic has cemented itself as Australia’s largest grassfed carcase competition.
As of early this week, 872 cattle from 31 producers from the South East, western Vic and as far afield as Yorke Peninsula have been graded, already surpassing the 722 head received in 2016-17.
And with more than two months before entries close for the 2017-18 competition, organisers are hoping to top 1000 entries.
The long-running competition, held at Teys Naracoorte abattoir, was previously run across a two-week period, but for the past two seasons has been extended from September to February.
The longer delivery period has been a great success, enabling more producers to benchmark their cattle for eating quality and market suitability.
The classes cover 180-kilogram to 420kg steers and heifers.
Teys Australia Naracoorte livestock manager David Woolard says the company is proud to be involved with the competition and its continued success, with this year’s competition shaping up to be the best yet.
“Entries are on track to go past the 1000 head mark with the quality of cattle some of the best we have seen,” he said.
”About 40 per cent that have been processed would rank in the top 10pc of cattle in Australia on the Meat Standards Australia index which I would think this makes our competition the premium grassfed competition in Australia.”
Six carcases have had an MSA Index of more than 65.38 – which was the highest MSA Index in the 2016-17 competition.
Mr Woolard says many of their producer suppliers have become accredited for the company’s new grassfed program, Teys Grasslands.
“The brand is attracting strong demand both domestic and overseas and we would encourage entrants in the SGCC to consider the premiums available for their grassfed cattle,” he said.
SGCC chairman Allan Kain says the results highlight the exceptional quality of grassfed cattle being produced in the region.
“We have just come out of a ripping spring – the weights have been very good and the results from the cattle we are killing are sensational,” he said.
“The depth of breeding is showing through and the increase in marbling, which is increasing the MSA Index scores,” he said.
The SGCC has been a major fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, with more than $13,000 donated last year alone, from the deduction of 1pc of sale proceeds.
“We are excited about the producers and the sponsors who are keen to get behind the RFDS,” he said.
Mr Kain said there were plenty of good cattle still to be turned off before late February and encouraged these producers to enter.
“There is plenty of time to enter 10 out of the (truck) load or put a load through.”
“It is not for the elite breeder, it is for the genuine commercial producer turning off a good YG animal that meets MSA specifications to see where they are at with their genetics and management.”
Teys Australia are paying a five cent a kilogram premium for entered cattle.
- Details: David Woolard 0418 832 045 or Allan Kain 0409 366 010.
