Murphy's make it two in a row

A total of 157 carcases were entered into the competition, which is regarded as the richest competition in Australia, and once again beef producers were given the opportunity to view and inspect their carcases in the chillers at the Thomas Borthwicks processing plant, at Bakers Creek on Mackay’s outskirts.

However, it was from a pen of three Charolais/Angus steers that were grainfed for 120 days at Tayglen home-based feedlot, that the champion carcase emerged.

The Murphy’s have been entering the Mackay Carcase Competition for the past 20 years with relative success.

And according to Mr Murphy he tags it as his hobby.

“It really is just that - a hobby, but the feedback from these competitions really does help with the direction we take in our beef production,” Mr Murphy said.

The champion carcase with a weight of 351kg, and received a perfect score for fat, fat cover and meat cover, and had P8 of 10mm, EMA of 105sq cm, and a marbling score of three.

Reserve champion carcase a pasture fed milk-tooth Brangus steer selected at eight-month-of age by the exhibitors Phylis and Joe Abela, Kanaka Brangus Stud, Habana, in partnership with Gerry and Mary Muller of Mackay.

This steer dressed out at 294.5kg and also received a perfect score for fat, fat colour, and meat colour, and had a P8 of 10mm, and EMA of 84 sq cm, and a marbling score of four.

Winning the prestigious Thomas Borthwicks feature class pen of three pasture fed chiller bullocks was first time exhibitor, Peter Quinn, Essex, Middlemount, with a pen of Charbray bullocks.

Scoring like peas in a pod, these three carcases with weights of 358kg, 368kg and 367kgs and scored an EMA of 95 sq cm, 98 sq cm, and 95 sq cm respectively.

These carcases also scored a P8 of 14mm, 19mm, and 10mm, and a perfect score for fat cover and a score of nine for meat cover.

Most successful exhibitor was Blair and Josie Angus, Kimberley Station, Clermont, who also claimed first and second in the John Angus Memorial named in honour of Blair’s late father for pasture or grainfed carcase most suited to the domestic market.

Overall 70 points were allocated on objective measurements, while 30 points from visual appraisal were given by judges Wayne Davis, Sarina, and associate judge Tom Acton, Croydon Station, Marlborough.

Mr Davis praised all exhibitors on the overall quality that were presented for judging.

He said that if a season that producers have just experienced had been 20 years ago, ‘we would have seen a very different product’.

“Over the years, producers have improved the quality of their breeding herd through genetics, and are using these competitions as an educational tool to improve the overall meat quality,” Mr David said.

Mr Davis said the champion carcase had outstanding confirmation and weight for age, while the reserve champion carcase had good thickness that carried through from his hindquarter to the forequarter, with excellent marbling off-grass.

Champion carcase: Jenny Murphy, Tayglen, Dysart

Reserve champion carcase: Joe and Phylis Abela and Gerry and Mary Muller, Kanaka Brangus, Habana

Grassfed carcase most suited to the Japanese Trade: Abela and Muller

Most successful carcase exhibitor: Blair and Josie Angus, Angus Pastoral, Kimberley, Clermont

Most successful beef and carcase exhibitor (Gaining most points in hoof and carcase sections): Ted Murphy, Tayglen Pastoral, Dysart

Most successful exhibitor (gaining most points in hoof and carcase sections 15 head or less): C and F Thompson, Upsan Downs, Clermont

Thomas Borthwicks Feature Chiller pen of three pasture fed chiller bullocks: Peter Quinn, Essex Grazing, Middlemount