A Central Murray Bestwool Bestlamb initiative, sponsored by DEDJTR, RH Woodward & Co, SH Associated Agents, Northern Wool, The Modern Butcher, and Tilbrook Stock Transport.
Swan Hill Show, 5th October 2019.
This was the 6th year of the annual carcass competition which provides sheep producers an opportunity to benchmark their genetics against others in the region to evaluate carcass values. The event is segregated into two stages, the 'on the hoof' judging stage (judged by Andrew Donnan), which involves assessing a pen of 3 sheep on their weight, eye muscle area and fat. The 'on the hook' stage assesses the pen of 3 as a carcass based on hot weight using the MSA system. The goal of this competition is to produce objective data to assist producers to learn about their genetics and improve the meat industry as a whole.
Central Murray BestWool BestLamb coordinator, Rick Ellis congratulated all involved in running the successful event, which saw 37 teams entered, well up from previous years. He said the majority of teams met the competition specifications, compliance has continuously risen each year since the competition began, a clear indicator of selection improvement toward meeting the grid. Rick observed that despite the tough seasonal conditions, the lambs entered were still on par with previous years, showing that producers were putting the effort into best management practices and reaping the benefits.
Judge Alice Ritchie (DEDJTR), said that the overall results for 2019 were really encouraging, compared to a couple of years ago. This was quite a difficult competition to judge, as there were a number of excellent entries. Pens 10 (M&S Martin) and 7 (DI Gitsham & Sons) in the Medium Prime class were tied and had to be split on consistency of weights (the more consistent/less different the weights were, t better). In the Medium Merinos, pen 25 (Ficken & Carmichael) and 22 (Northdale) were also tied and split by consistency of weight. Even when deciding Reserve Champion (see results below) there were three pens that tied, so once again the successful pen was chosen on having the most consistent lambs.
This year we added a column in the results called 'non-compliance' with a dollar value- this is an indication of what pens could have achieved if they had met specifications better. Dollar values in red mean that you lost money because of discounts. The figures in black indicate where you did well with our Lean Meat Yield (EMA/kg HSCW) premiums. While this doesn't exist yet in lamb pricing, it looks like it will one day- keep an eye on LMY but don't forget the importance of fat, particularly intramuscular fat/marbling too.
RESULTS:
This was the 6th year of the annual carcass competition which provides sheep producers an opportunity to benchmark their genetics against others in the region to evaluate carcass values. The event is segregated into two stages, the 'on the hoof' judging stage (judged by Andrew Donnan), which involves assessing a pen of 3 sheep on their weight, eye muscle area and fat. The 'on the hook' stage assesses the pen of 3 as a carcass based on hot weight using the MSA system. The goal of this competition is to produce objective data to assist producers to learn about their genetics and improve the meat industry as a whole.
Central Murray BestWool BestLamb coordinator, Rick Ellis congratulated all involved in running the successful event, which saw 37 teams entered, well up from previous years. He said the majority of teams met the competition specifications, compliance has continuously risen each year since the competition began, a clear indicator of selection improvement toward meeting the grid. Rick observed that despite the tough seasonal conditions, the lambs entered were still on par with previous years, showing that producers were putting the effort into best management practices and reaping the benefits.
Judge Alice Ritchie (DEDJTR), said that the overall results for 2019 were really encouraging, compared to a couple of years ago. This was quite a difficult competition to judge, as there were a number of excellent entries. Pens 10 (M&S Martin) and 7 (DI Gitsham & Sons) in the Medium Prime class were tied and had to be split on consistency of weights (the more consistent/less different the weights were, t better). In the Medium Merinos, pen 25 (Ficken & Carmichael) and 22 (Northdale) were also tied and split by consistency of weight. Even when deciding Reserve Champion (see results below) there were three pens that tied, so once again the successful pen was chosen on having the most consistent lambs.
This year we added a column in the results called 'non-compliance' with a dollar value- this is an indication of what pens could have achieved if they had met specifications better. Dollar values in red mean that you lost money because of discounts. The figures in black indicate where you did well with our Lean Meat Yield (EMA/kg HSCW) premiums. While this doesn't exist yet in lamb pricing, it looks like it will one day- keep an eye on LMY but don't forget the importance of fat, particularly intramuscular fat/marbling too.
RESULTS:
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PRIME LAMB ON THE HOOF
CHAMPION: Grant Malone (Pen of Heavy Prime) RESERVE: DI Gitscham & Sons (Pen of Heavy Prime) PRIME MEDIUM (18 - 23.9kg) HOOF 1st: Dennis Gleeson & Sons (Pen 11) 2nd: Grant Malone (Pen 12) 3rd: M&S Martin (Pen 9) PRIME HEAVY (24 - 29.9kg) HOOF 1st: Grant Malone (Pen 33) 2nd: DI Gitscham & Sons (Pen 17) 3rd: Woolmark Pty Ltd (Pen 19) MEDIUM MERINO (18 - 23.9kg) HOOF 1st: Northdale Pty Ltd (Pen 21) 2nd: David McDonald (Pen 32) 3rd: J&B Glenn (Pen 28) |
PRIME LAMB ON THE HOOK & WINNER OF THE GRAEME OXLEY PERPETUAL TROPHY
CHAMPION: Dennis Gleeson (Pen of Medium Prime) RESERVE: M&S Martin (Pen of Medium Prime) PRIME MEDIUM (18 - 23.9kg) HOOK 1st: Dennis Gleeson 2nd: M&S Martin 3rd: DI Gitsham & Sons PRIME HEAVY (24 - 29.9kg) HOOK 1st: DI Gitsham & Sons 2nd: G Martin 3rd: D Martin (G Martin) MEDIUM MERINO (18 - 23.9kg) HOOK 1st: Ficken/Carmichael 2nd: Northdale Pty Ltd 3rd: Northdale Pty Ltd |
The Central Murray BestWool BestLamb would like to thank the numerous volunteers involved in making this competition a success, including our steering committee and those involved in data collection on the day.
Special thanks to Andrew Donnan (Anden White Suffolk Stud) who judged the lambs 'On the Hoof'. Also to Robyn Leishman (Ag VIC Swan Hill) for assisting with EID, to Pom Bramble (Woodward Foods) for taking the time to value the skins and Caroline Ellis for her photographs of the day.
Thank you to Judge Alice Ritchie (Ag VIC) who judged the 'On the Hook' section of the competition and complied all the competition data to be able to provide feedback onc carcass values, with the help of Rachel Coombs (Ag VIC Swan Hill).
Lastly, thank you to Graeme Oxley for his generous support to the competition over the last 5 years. In recognition of his support toward the competition and the prime lamb & stud industry, the Graeme Oxley Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the best 'On the Hook' team each year.
Special thanks to Andrew Donnan (Anden White Suffolk Stud) who judged the lambs 'On the Hoof'. Also to Robyn Leishman (Ag VIC Swan Hill) for assisting with EID, to Pom Bramble (Woodward Foods) for taking the time to value the skins and Caroline Ellis for her photographs of the day.
Thank you to Judge Alice Ritchie (Ag VIC) who judged the 'On the Hook' section of the competition and complied all the competition data to be able to provide feedback onc carcass values, with the help of Rachel Coombs (Ag VIC Swan Hill).
Lastly, thank you to Graeme Oxley for his generous support to the competition over the last 5 years. In recognition of his support toward the competition and the prime lamb & stud industry, the Graeme Oxley Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the best 'On the Hook' team each year.
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JJ Tilbrook Pty Ltd
Livestock & General Carrier |
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