A Hereford cross steer was deemed as the most suitable carcass for the domestic market in the 2016 Gympie Carcass Classic.
The yearling Hereford-Droughtmaster cross steer was part of a team of five head entered in the competition by Brian and Lyn Thompson, “Conamore’’, Mt Urah, Queensland.
The couple run a Droughtmaster herd of 350 cows joined to Hereford, Droughtmaster and Simbrah bulls.
They have regularly entered Hereford cross progeny in carcass competitions for the past five years to compare their cattle and receive chiller feedback on performance.
Their winning steer in the Gympie Classic weighed 464kg after 86 days on feed and was processed at Nolan Meats.
The carcass had an eye muscle area of 95sqcm and a dressing percentage of 58.
Mrs Thompson said the team of four steers and a heifer were grass fed and entered the competition at 280-320kg liveweight.
“We were pleased with the carcass results and it showed our cattle were doing well,’’ she said.
“That’s important if you want the cattle to perform well on MSA and for people to buy them.
“We breed for the hard country – Hereford gives us calving ease and carcass quality.
“We select bulls for a good top line, width between the front legs, a thick butt and short head.’’
Hereford cross females are retained and joined to Droughtmaster and Simbrah bulls.
Steers and cull heifers are sold over-the-hooks to JBS Australia’s Dinmore plant or Kilcoy Pastoral Company plant.
