The steers entered by Steve Robinson, Moorville Herefords, Moorooduc, in the Lardner Park steer trial. Image Anthony Williams
Six producers with purebred and infused Hereford steers have come through the first weigh in the nation’s only grass-fed steer trial.
Purebred entrants in the 47th Lardner Park Steer Trial are Tarcombe Herefords, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Charellen Poll Herefords, Moorville and those with infused cattle Riverbend (black baldy) and Hillridge Farm (Limousin/Simmental/Hereford).
The trial began at Lardner Park, Warragul, Victoria, in July with 70 mixed breed steers entered from around Victoria from 26 producers.
The first weigh was on July 5 with a Poll Hereford steer entered by Steve Robinson, Moorville, Moorooduc, leading the field on 410kg liveweight. His second steer weighed 353kg.
A steer from the team entered by David Miekle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan, recorded a respectable 385kg.
Compliant with the Coles QA grass fed program, the aim is to achieve the best outcomes for both during trial information and data collection, and purchase price on carcase meat when the trial is finished in late November.
The final grid specifications are 220-330kg hot standard carcase weight.
As the only grass-fed steer trial in Australia, producers across multiple states are provided the opportunity to assess cattle under independently controlled grazing conditions.
Entrants are required to declare cattle have not been grain fed since birth.
After their arrival, the steers were re-tagged, drenched, vaccinated and weighed and turned onto clean pasture supplemented by a molasses based mineral feed.
It is the second Lardner Park trial Hereford breeder and part-time butcher Steve Robinson has entered.
He said last year proved a learning experience with the steers entering too light and without the right fat cover.
This year’s steers are by homebred bulls going back to US sires MSU TCF Revolution 4R and TH 122 71I Victor 719T.
“I entered to compare my steers against others – they are a bit older and heavier this year, and hopefully will put the condition on,” he said.
Running 90 stud and commercial breeders, Steve and his wife Janie turn off purebred steers into the Pakenham store market and crossbred steers into the local prime market.
“I use AI to cross the Herefords with Limousin, Belgium Blue and Simmental, fatten them on grain before going into the fat market,” he said.
“The Herefords are good all-round cattle, easy to work with, have doing ability and finish well on grass.
“Our local butcher trade wants the Euro-Hereford cross with a fat depth of 4-6mm at 220-240kg carcase weight at 14 months of age.
“Consumers are wanting grass fed in their mind but they find grain fed eats better – it’s about flavour, tenderness and eating quality.”
Steve is always looking for new bloodlines to breed his own bulls and selects for a balance of traits including calving ease and eye muscle area.