Murray Grey steers three from four

The Murray Grey Feature Show at the 2011 Royal Canberra Show, saw a boost in Murray Grey steer numbers for the National Capital Hoof & Hook competition. With Murray Grey steers winning three out of the four classes on the hoof, standing second in the remaining hoof class and exhibiting the Reserve Champion Steer on the Hoof and the Reserve Champion Carcase of the show.

On the hoof in the Light Domestic class, a steer bred and exhibited by Sixpence Park Murray Greys with a live weight of 337kg placed second to the eventual Grand Champion Steer and went on to place fourth in the carcase judging.

The Medium Domestic hoof judging saw Murray Grey Steers go one, two and three. In first place was a 411kg steer with Woodbourn blood lines exhibited by Elizabeth Fields Murray Greys, described by judge Chris Knox as a productive, easy finishing steer with commercial viability. Second place went to a 432kg Watermill Murray Greys bred and exhibited steer and third place to a 421kg steer bred by Watermill and exhibited by Hayden King. The steer exhibited by Elizabeth Fields that won the Medium Domestic Section was also crowned the Reserve Champion steer on the hoof.

Murray Grey success continued in the Heavy Domestic hoof section with a 483kg steer exhibited by Onward Murray Greys winning first place. The steer by Kelso Babalon and out of Onward Fergie was credited by the judge for his muscle expression, strong topline and outstanding body. Second place in this class was a 464kg steer exhibited by Wattlewood Murray Greys.

The final hoof class of the day was the Export section, with another Murray Grey taking out top honours. This time one of the charity steers, the 606kg Mgrath Foundation Steer won first place. The steer by Tullibardine Cherub and out of a Woodbourn Karen cow was donated by Braeside Park Murray Greys and prepared by John and Nicole Rodd to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation. Judge Chris Knox chose this steer as his class winner because he was the complete package; long bodied, strong hindquarters and exhibiting a good eye muscle area.

Both place winners from the Heavy Domestic section followed their success on the hoof with notable results in the carcase judging.

The steer exhibited by Onward placed third in the Heavy Domestic carcase class with rib and rump fats of 8 and 9mm and an EMA of 75cmsq. While the steer exhibited by Wattlewood Murray Greys was placed first in the Heavy Domestic Carcase class and also awarded the Reserve Champion Carcase of the show. Wattlewood Escort E13, out of Victoria Marigold 32 and by Lindsay Starbright S117 had a carcase with a total of 93 points, rib and rumps fats of 8mm even and an EMA of 84cmsq.