This 12 months’s general champion pen was a bunch of F4 steers (93pc Wagyu content material) exhibited by Que Honnery, Bar H Grazing, Comet, Qld. Que is pictured receiving his award from AWA chief govt Matt McDonagh
ENTRIES carrying the elusive mixture of excessive marbling and superior carcase weight had been the standouts within the carcase worth part of the 2024 RNA Wagyu Paddock to Palate efficiency competitors, outcomes from which had been introduced in Brisbane final night time.
Virtually 200 cattle representing Wagyu breeders throughout Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania took half on this 12 months’s competitors, having been on feed since June final 12 months.
A pen of seven Wagyu F3 Wagyu steers exhibited by Todd Cranny, Bonyi Grazing, Goondiwindi topped the standings within the carcase worth division of this 12 months’s Wagyu Paddock to Palate competitors, producing a mean worth of $6751 a head. Plenty of particular person carcases on this group, and a complete of 16 scattered all through all entries, produced carcase values in extra of $7000.
For the needs of the Wagyu competitors, carcase worth was calculated from scorching normal carcase weight x marbling rating x grid $/kg.
Within the case of the Bonyi Grazing entries, carcase weights after 400 days on feed at Smithfield feedlot’s Sapphire feedlot close to Goondiwindi ranged from 400kg to 500kg, averaging 465kg. Digicam-generated marbling scores ranged from 8.8 to 12.7, averaging 9.9.
The person highest worth carcase within the competitors, price $7571, was from a Fullblood pen entered by Selwyn and Jocelyn Maller, Hamilton Park Pastoral Co, Murgon Qld. This physique produced a marbling rating of 9.1, and distinctive marbling fineness, from a carcase weighing a large 578kg – the second highest within the competitors.
What was clearly evident this 12 months was the variety of carcases exceeding 500kg in weight, whereas nonetheless retaining optimum marbling efficiency.
General champions
This 12 months’s general champion pen, protecting factors for carcase high quality (traits together with marbling, marbling fineness and eye muscle space), carcase worth, weightgain and beef style check outcomes, was a pen of F4 steers (93pc Wagyu content material) exhibited by Que Honnery, Bar H Grazing, Comet, Qld.
These steers didn’t win any of the person class efficiency awards, however had been nice allrounders, ending near the highest in most classes.
Carcase weights averaged 443kg, with people as excessive as 487kg. Marbling scores averaged 9.1, with one excessive animal recording 12.9, and eye muscle areas averaging 122sq cm. Carcase worth averaged $5809, with one particular person price $7267.
Runners-up within the general standings was a pen of Fullblood Wagyu steers exhibited by Mike McCosker, Marathon Wagyu, Emerald, Qld.
Sub-categories
With only some exceptions, entries carrying F2 or extra Wagyu genetics featured among the many main award winners this 12 months. One of many exceptions to that was within the weightgain part, the place heterosis was an element. F1 Wagyu x Angus pens exhibited by Hamish McIntyre, McIntyre Agriculture St George positioned first and third for weightgain, producing common each day features of 1.2kg and 1.14kg (excessive roughage Wagyu fashion ration).
In different sub-categories, this 12 months’s champion particular person carcase, primarily based on carcase high quality traits was a purebred (94pc) Wagyu, exhibited as a part of a staff by Ballot Wagyu Pty Ltd, Smithton, Tasmania.
This calf produced a 412kg carcase and the very best marbling rating within the competitors of the equal of 15.2, representing an intramuscular fats stage of 52pc.
Reserve champion particular person carcase got here from Hamblin Grazing, Blue Mountain Qld, producing a marbling rating of 14.6, and IMF of 50pc. The identical carcase gained the meat style check a part of the competitors, scoring 95.87 factors.
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