English References To “Stagginess” Have N.Z. Judges Puzzled

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 9, 18 October 1948, Page 3

English References To “Stagginess” Have N.Z. Judges Puzzled

Points of considerable moment to beef producers throughout New Zealand are raised in the report of the London judges on the Hawke’s Bay chilled beef championship entries. While they paid a compliment to the type of cattle shipped, they were critical of the incidence of “stagginess” a fault which they said was not* common to Hawke’s Bay alone. *> The beef generally was from the finest bred cattle’ and without doubt of the most suitable type for United Kingdom requirements, stated Messrs . G. Bolton, S. H. B. Emus and F. D. Goodchild in their report. They were much impressed. by the great strides made since 1939 ' in breeding and selection. The-judges were gratified to learn after compai’ing the London placings with the New Zealand placings, that eight out of the 10 beasts placed in London had been successful on the hooks at Tomoana. They could not comprehend, however, why the New Zealand beef industry did not appreciate or understand the fundamental importance of “clean beef.” In the class for beasts of 6801 b and under, 13 of the exhibits were, in their opinion, completely spoiled, not only from the point of view of the competition, but also from that of Britain’s normal trade -by late or slightly imperfect cutting. In the heavyweight class eight • exhibits were in the same category. It was pointed out that supplies from New Zealand’s most formidable competitors, where they dehorned and. castrated at three weeks, rarely included quarters of beef with “staggy” characteristics. The judges also gave a reminder that quarters of beef selected by salesmen for their order trade, their best trade realised proportionately highprices. References to “stagginess” have left members of the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, which conducted the championship, rather nonplussed. Those who viewed 'the displays on the hooks at Tomoana believe that the British ; interpretation of “stagginess” must, be different from that in New Zealand. The president, Mr Lachlan McLean, said, when the reports were Under discussion, that the New Zealand judges had been asked on the occasion of the display of the beasts on the hooks at Tomoana to put out any beasts with “staggy” characteristics, and, although they were competent men, they ..were unable to do so. Several cattle breeders present at the meeting differed in their . suggestions' as to the British ideas of “stagginess”, and finally it was agreed to ask the British judges for their definition and for suggestions as to how they think corrections can be made.