SYDNEY ROYAL CARCASE TRIUMPH

The Limousin domination of the 2009 Sydney Royal Led Steer competition continued in the carcase section with purebred Limousin steers taking out Grand and Reserve Champion Carcase and the Stan Hill trophy for a group of three steers.

The Grand Champion Carcase which scored 95 points was from a Limousin steer bred by Donna Valley Limousin stud and exhibited by St Gregorys College, Campbelltown, NSW. The steer was sired by Benika Upper Class from Donna Valley C056. This steer dressed at an amazing 63.3% to produce a 377kg carcase. It scored maximum points for eye muscle area and fat depth and achieved a virtual taste test score of 37.7 which was the second highest score of the 198 steers. A marble score of three also achieved maximum points.

Reserve Champion Carcase was a black Limousin steer bred by Don and Sarah Riley, Oakvale Limousin stud, Duri NSW which scored 93.5 points. The steer was by Oakvale Ziggy from Oakvale Y17. This steer also scored maximum points for muscle score, eye muscle area and fat depth with a virtual taste test score of 36.2

The winning team in the Stan Hill Trophy included the Reserve Champion Carcase from Don & Sarah Riley as well as steers entered by Brisbane Waters Secondary College, Umina and The Scots School, Bathurst which scored 88 and 88.5 points respectively to give a team total of 270 points. This was nine points clear of the Charolais team and 13.5 points ahead of the Shorthorn team.

The results for Limousin were simply outstanding and a credit to the breeders and exhibitors of the Limousin steers. The high virtual taste test scores demonstrate that it is possible to combine high eating quality with high yields of retail beef which is just what modern butchers and consumers require.