Grahams sweep Limousin Blockbuster competition

After claiming the on the hoof top award a fortnight ago, the Graham family of Talana Limousins have come out as overall victors, claiming the champion hook award and the best performer accolade.

More than 60 people attended the Limousin Blockbuster presentation lunch held on Sunday at Haigslea, feeding on rib fillet steaks from the champion and reserve champion carcase, with 56 prizes in total handed out worth more than $19,000.

The Grahams' champion French pure milk-tooth heifer had a carcase weight of 288.2 kg, 12 mm fat cover, MSA index of 60.12, and eye muscle area of 92 sq cm and a dressing percentage of 59.55pc to achieve a total point score of 109.6.

Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune also charted stellar results, recording the best percentage average daily gain in all six classes, ranging from 86.6pc to 114pc as well as taking out the reserve champion hook award.

The reserve champion milk tooth steer had a carcase weight of 305.4 kg, 8mm fat cover, MSA index 61.28, an EMA of 95 sq cm and a dressing percentage of 61.33pc for a total of 106.09 points.

Garry Graham said while they have supported the Limousin Blockbuster and the Gympie Carcase Classic in the past, it was the first time they had actually competed in this kind of competition.

"We're overwhelmed that our cattle stood up that well," he said.

"Entering was a drought decision more than anything and to come out on top like that is a real bonus.

"Apart from the wins, we're happy with the data out of the competition.

"We were above average in our EMA, our average daily gain, fat, MSA indew and lean meat yield which is the best thing about it all.

"That's the stuff we want to hear."

Cattle entered in the competition had an average ingoing weight of 289 kilograms, an average exit weight of 513kg and and average daily gain of 2.12kg.

The average fat cover was 9.8mm, with an average eye muscle area of 71.7 sq cm.

Steers had an average MSA index score of 55.66, while heifers had an average score of 58.86.

The average lean meat yield percentage across the competition was 54.41pc for steers and 55.8pc for heifers.

Organiser Geoff Haack said the number of entries was way up on last year's inaugural competition as was the quality, with a large proportion of high grade Limousin.

"The results from the feedlot also improved with a much better average daily weight gain and it showed across the animals when they were being judged on the hoof - a magnificent mob," he said.

"The carcase results were also very impressive with all but 10 grading MSA and dressing out in the numbers Limousin are renowned for.

"A fat cover average of 9.88mm is exceptional with only a very few outside the ideal range.

"As luck would have it and thanks to magnificent support from Teys we hit a price grid that no one would have even dreamed of at the start, making this year's competition one in which the participants enjoyed a great return.

"If I was to pick out just one standout for me it is the fantastic performance of the French Pure Limousins in a Feedlot and Carcase trial against the various crossbreds."

The vendors' draw, a registered Limousin Heifer donated by Geoff and Cheryl Haack's Benamitchy Limousin Stud was drawn out of a hat at the end of presentations and was won by Connor Veraart from Bartholomew & Co.

Best Average Daily Weight Gain- 1. Talana Limousins with a French Pure Limousin Heifer gaining 3.11 kg per day 2. Ivan Harland, Springsure with 3.07 kg per day

Hoof Results

Class 1 Heifer under 450kg : Talana Limousins 2nd: Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune

Class 2 Steer under 450kg: Jon Stiller, Allenview 2nd: Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune

Class 3 Heifer 450-500kg: Jon Stiller, Allenview 2nd: Jon Stiller, Allenview

Class 4 Steer 450-500kg: Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune 2nd: Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune

Class 5 Heifer over 500kg: Garry Graham, Talana Limousins, Kingaroy 2nd: Geoff and Cheryl Haack, Benamitchy Limousin Stud, Gilston

Class 6A Steer 500-550kg: Proston State School 2nd: Midge Thompson, Thompson Bros, Kingaroy

Class 6B Steer over 550kg: Graham and Rhonda Mills, Gilston 2nd: Graham and Rhonda Mills, Gilston

Grand champion exhibit: Garry Graham, Talana Limousins, Kingaroy

Reserve champion: Geoff and Cheryl Haack, Gilston

Hook Results

Class 1 Heifer Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune 2^nd Talana Limousins.

Class 2 Steer. Connor Veraart, Purga Lot 39. 2^nd Jon Stiller, Allenview

Class 3 Heifer Midge Thompson, Thompson Bros, Kingaroy 2^nd Geoff and Cheryl Haack, Gilston

Class 4 Steer. Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune 2^nd Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune

Class 5 Heifer Talana Limousins 2^nd Peter and Pauline Grant, The Downfall Limousins, Wilsons Downfall

Class 6 Steer. Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune. Lot 108. 2^nd Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune

Champion: Talana Limousins

Reserve Champion: Ivan Harland, Injune

EMA

Class 1 Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune Lot 212 with 68sq cm

Class 2 Connor Veraart, Purga Lot 39 with 88 sq cm

Class 3 Jon Stiller, Allenview Lot 3 with 81 sq cm

Class 4 Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune Lot 201 with 91 sq cm

Class 5 Talana Limousins Lot 71 with 96 sq cm

Class 6 Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune Lot 140 with 103 sq cm

Dressing percentage

Class 1 Ivan Harland, Injune Lot 99 at 62.84%

Class 2. Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune Lot 118 at 63.05%

Class 3 Steve Nash, Currumbin Valley Lot 56 at 61.79%

Class 4. Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune Lot 168 at 63.89%

Class 5 George Massam,Biddaddaba Lot 53 at 63.66%

Class 6. Craig and Mary Firrell, Lowood Lot 63 at 65.5%

MSA

1st. Ivan and Shirley Harland, Injune Lot 144 62.96

2nd Ben Beling, Glamorgan Vale Lot 35 62.66

Lean Meat Yield percentage

1st. Connor Veraart, Purga Lot 39 at 63.83%

2nd. Jon Stiller, Allenview Lot 21 at 63.28%

Best Performer Overall - Talana Limousins