Belgian Blue X wins top carcase title

Marts: A 22-month old Belgian Blue X bullock that produced a carcase weighing over 409kgs (900lbs) and grade “E” has been judged Supreme Steer champion in the 2007 Slaney Foods Carcase Competition — which had a prize fund of €5,600.

The animal supplied by Michael Fitzpatrick, was home bred on his farm at Lower Tubberroe, Durrow, Portlaoise and attained the highest carcase weight among the winners in the contest while producing a quality E3 carcase — one of the small number of animals among the winners to attain an E grade.

The Supreme Champion Heifer was supplied by Seamus Walker, The Arches, Kilcavan, Carnew, Co Wicklow. The 21-month old Limousin X heifer produced a carcase weighing 335.4kgs (739lbs) and graded U4L.

The overall awards were selected from the daily winning carcases during the previous four days. Three continental breeds shared the honours. The winning carcases were produced from Limousin, Belgian Blue X, Limousin X, and Charolais X.

In addition to the producer of the Supreme Champion, the other producers who supplied steer carcases to win daily awards were Patrick Murray, Knocknagapple, Monaseed, Gorey, Co Wexford (April 2005-born Belgian Blue X grading U3 at 341.2kgs); Paul Kehoe, Glasscarrig, Ballygarrett, Gorey, (December 2004 Limousin grading U3 weighing 386.3kgs); and Peter Breen, Curraduff, Killenagh, Gorey (Limousin X born in January 2005, grading U3 weighing 391.8kgs).

Suppliers of the winning heifer carcases — in addition to the winner of the Supreme Heifer Award — were Michael Doyle, Glenranny, Boolavogue, Ferns (March 2005-born Charolais X producing a U4 364.4kgs carcase); Owen Murphy, Galbally, Ballyhogue, Enniscorthy (January 2005-born Charolais X producing U3 carcase 369.5kgs); and R and J Wharton, Dromoyle House, Birr, Co Offaly (Belgian Blue X, born June 2005, grading E3 at 368.3kgs).