Shorthorns have taken out the prestigious Borthwick trophy at the Royal Melbourne Show for the first time since 2003.
RASV beef committee member Melissa Neal said in the more than 60 years only 10 breeds had won the interbreed steer and carcase competition, which is awarded to the team of three purebred steers that get the most points from being judged on the hoof and on the hook.
This year, the Shorthorn team topped the eight competing teams, with a grand total of 339.75 points out of a possible 400 points.
The team included a steer exhibited by Finley High School (by Sprys Exclusive J13 and out of a Finley High School cow), one exhibited by Longerong College (bred by Eloora Shorthorns, Bulart near Cavendish) and one exhibited by McKay Bros, Marschay Shorthorns, Dean (sired by Marschay Holmes).
Scott McKay said consistency across the three steers was key to the team’s win.
The three steers were awarded 85.75, 90.3 and 86.7 for their carcases for a combined carcase total of 262.75, which was the highest score. The team of MSA graders at JSB Brooklyn evaluated the carcases.
In second was the team of Charolais steers, whose three carcase scores totalled 253.64, but the team closed the gap by scoring slightly better in the live judging.
The Simmental team came in third place, by less than one point behind the Charolais team.
The Borthwick Trophy is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious interbreed steer and carcase competitions in Australia
Ray Brook, Eloora Shorthorns, bred one of the steers and said he was “elated” to be part of the Borthwick winning team for the first time.
Mr McKay said winning the carcase competition highlighted the breed’s quality, and he said its traits of high eye muscle area and fat cover to weight ratio, while maintaining softness through the animal, set Shorthorns apart.
He said the Borthwick win gave the breed a huge boost, especially as a Shorthorn beef brand, Thousand Guineas, had been launched earlier this year.
In other Beef Carcase Competition results Yanco Agricultural High School was named most successful schools or college exhibitor, taking home the Bott-Burston Trophy, after being awarded grand champion steer or heifer, reserve champion medium domestic steer or heifer and champion heavy domestic steer or heifer.
