Herefords prove their weight gain and carcase quality in prestigious grass fed trial

By Kim Woods

Herefords have proven their superior grass-fed performance by taking out the carcase and eating quality sections of the Lardner Park 2022 Steer Trial.

The 47th trial began at Warragul, Victoria, in July 2022 with 35 teams of mixed breed steers entered from around the state from 26 producers. The winners were announced on March 24 at Farm World, Lardner Park.

Purebred Hereford entries were:

• Overall runner-up in the combined weight gain and carcase awards

• Winner of the highest carcase score as a pair

• Winner of the highest eating quality (MSA Index) as a pair

• Highest dressing percentage of 57.5 per cent with a Hereford infused entry

Purebred entrants were Tarcombe Herefords, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Charellen Poll Herefords, and Moorville Herefords and those with infused cattle Riverbend (black baldy) and Hillridge Farm (Limousin/Simmental/Hereford).

David Meikle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan, entered two teams with the top pair of steers recording individual average daily weight gains of 1.46 and 1.54kg to give an overall pair average daily weight gain of 1.50kg at the fifth and final weighing, and overall second place in the combined weight gain and carcase award on 228.32 points.

The Hereford team was 1.53 points behind the overall winners, two Angus steers on 1.55kg/day from Tim Wilson,

Amphitheatre Pastoral Partnership, Labertouche.

Stan and Denise Walker, Charellan Poll Herefords, Pearsondale, had an overall pair daily gain of 1.26kg and individual overall gains of 1.35 and 1.17kg. Charellan won the highest carcase score for the pair on 90.66 points.

Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, entered two teams with the overall pair daily gains of 1.10 and 1.22kg. The individual gains ranged from 1.08 to 1.23kg. Tarcombe won the highest eating quality (MSA Index) as a pair.

The fifth and final weighing was held on November 28 with many producers and stakeholders enjoying a barbecue and networking session before the steers were transported to JBS for processing.

As the only grass-fed steer trial in Australia, producers across multiple states are provided the opportunity to assess cattle under independently controlled grazing conditions.

Compliant with the Coles QA grass fed program, the aim is to achieve the best outcomes for both during trial information and data collection, and purchase price on carcase meat when the trial is finished in late November.

The final grid specifications are 220330kg hot standard carcase weight.

The herd was grazed on ryegrassbased pasture with supplements with the average weight gain being 1.18kg a day, with individual steer weight gains averaging from 0.6kg to 1.67kg a day.

The highest dressing percentage of 57.5 per cent was a Limousin/ Simmental/Hereford cross, while the largest eye muscle area was 97sqcm for a Devon steer. A Hereford steer had the second largest eye muscle at 90sqcm.

Tarwin Poll Hereford’s winning team had a carcase score of 87.58 and 83.78 points, carcase weight of 317 and 327kg, eye muscle area of 84 and 90sqcm respectively and MSA Index of 60.13 and 58.46.

David Meikle regularly competes in carcase competitions and the Lardner Park steer trial.

He maintains a focus on traits needed for sound practical cattle, including adequate weight gain, ability to finish, tractability, mothering ability and structural soundness.

The overall second placed Tarwin team were sired by Tarcombe Homeland P177 while the second pair placed seventh overall and were by Wirruna Nolan N146.

Mr Meikle said a combination of growth rates and finishing ability got the Tarwin teams across the line.

When selecting steers, David looks at the weight range, estimates where the steers will be in six months’ time and works backwards to choose animals of the desired entry weight.

“It was a tremendous result for the breed – weight gain, carcase and eating quality all go towards good viable cattle that make money,” he said.

“Hereford cattle have been consistently reliable in this competition. We make our selections in June and over the 10 years the cattle always meet the specifications.

“This competition is there to be dominated by Hereford cattle and I would love to see more commercial purebred and crossbred entries from around Victoria and interstate.

“It leads to the Hereford strengths of being able to grass finish. I get a benefit out of the competition promotion wise – we put our cattle out there to be challenged and tested, and that’s a positive.”