Champion junior led steer presented by Ray White Rockhampton and Beef Australia board member, Richard Bosnan; with owner Shannon Coombs, Rockhampton; parader Jess Noakes, Marlborough; Ray White chairman Paul White, Brisbane; and judge Michael Silvester, Forest Hills Brangus, Central Queensland. Photo by Fairfax Media
By Hannah Powe, Fairfax Media
Despite a 76 steer strong competition, it was a purebred Simmental steer that defeated all in a tough battle to win the coveted Ray White Rural Junior Led Steer competition at Beef 2018.
Exhibited by Rockhampton local Shannon Coombs, “Meura Plains”, the winning steer named “Ted” originates from Biloela and was purchased as a weaner out of a Gracemere sale.
Judge Michael Silvester, Forest Hills Brangus, Central Queensland, awarded Ted first place in the milk tooth steer with a live weight of 601 to 720 kilograms class, before announcing it as his champion of the day.
Mr Silvester, who is a professional livestock buyer by trade and operates a well established cattle property known as “Forest Hills” between Capella and Emerald, said the steer was a “soft, big, growthy steer with magnificent spring of rib”.
“He is deep, evenly covered from front to back and walks out well, holding his weight well. He is quiet natured and there is not much you can fault about him,” he said.
The 18-month-old steer weighed in at 670 kilograms with an eye muscle area (EMA) of 104 centimeters squared and measurements of 14 millimeters and 9mm in the rump and rib fats.
Fed for about 120 days at its’ Rockhampton home, the steer was a standout from day one.
“He is a good calf and has been a pleasure to work with. With everything put to him he has gone ahead leaps and bound,” Mr Coombs said.
“He is targeted for the Central Queensland Carcase Classic.”