Emphasis On Beef

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31628, 14 March 1968, Page 8

Emphasis On Beef

Record entries have been received for the export beef competition which is held in conjunction with the Methven show. There are 65 entries from some 36 breeders for the competition, which is for the second year also the official MidCanterbury district competition.

Entries comprise steers, not more than two years and a half-old, of not less than 4801 b or more than 6801 b dressed weight The cattle will be judged on the hoof at the show by Mr R. A. Barton, of Massey University of Manawatu. Subsequently the “on hooks” judging will take place at the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company’s Belfast works, where a field day will be held next Wednesday afternoon, when Mr Barton will also be present. The “on hooks” judging is conducted in two stages. First the right side of each carcase has the internal suets removed and weighed and following quartering between the twelfth and thirteenth ribs the top 10 entries are selected by measurement and visual evaluation. These top 10 sides are

then cut or fabricated to the specification of the United States market. The percentage yield of boneless, trimmed retail cuts (3-Bin fat trim) together with the total points scored by the carcase then determine the order of merit. The top six of the 10 left sides are quarterer to conform with United Kingdom requirements and the quarters from these will constitute the district entry for judging in London. Several Friesians have been included in the entries and among these are three from the Winchmore irrigation station and one of these cattle will be cut whether or not it qualifies for cutting. Porkers entered in the show class for a pair of porkers of not more than 1151 b liveweight each on the

day of the show will also be judged on the hooks at Belfast. These are pigs considered to be most suitable for the export trade and are judged both on the hoof at the show and on the hooks on the New Zealand Pig Council’s scale of points. Twelve pairs of porkers have been entered for this year’s competition. Last year there were nine. The show also includes a class for a pair of unled bulls of any recognised beef breed, which are most suitable for breeding for the export beef market. Conscious of the growing importance of beef, the saleyards company at Methven has carried out improvements to its yards during the last year—20 more pens have been provided and another loading bank. These facilities will be used for this year’s' competition. The association’s export lamb competition will be held next Wednesday morning at the North Canterbury works at Kalapoi. Here there are classes for pens of lambs of 361 b or under and of 421 b or under, and for a single lamb most suitable for the pre-cut lamb trade.