CHILLED BEEF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 44, 22 February 1939, Page 11

CHILLED BEEF

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT FROM SMITHFIELD The New Zealand chilled beef championship, staged at the Wanganui show each November, is the most important event of its kind in the Dominion. The cattle are judged alive, “on the hooks,” and finally at Smithfield. The final Smithfield judgment is now published. The beef was displayed and judged on the Smithfield stall of Messrs. Hayes and Paine, on January 16 last, by Messrs. S. W. Sadlpr and J. P. Hamilton. Unfortunately, because rush of business, the beet arriving late from the docks, ic was impossible to award ten places as in the past. Four leading places were awarded, as follows, “on hooks,” and alive placings being given in parentheses in that order:-

No. 211, 5681 b. (7th and 0 place) ... 1 No. 214, 6231 b. (2nd and Ist place) 2 No. 212, 6181 b. (9th and 0 place) ... 3 No. 216, 7171 b. (0 and sth place) ... 4 Mr. T.. A. Duncan secured first and third places, Mr. Ken. Duncan second place, and Messrs. Herrick Bros.

fourth place. Mr. F. Armstrong, Akitio, bred the sires of the first three cattle placed. A very agreeable feature of the Smithfield report is the highly complimentary remai'ks upon the workmanship shown in the dressing of these cattle. The slaughterman at the Imlay works may feel justifiably proud of that reference, coming from a supreme meat centre, where the wprld’s best is on display. Another feature of interest is the reference to colour, upon which Mr. S. S. Timbs, of Wanganui, the show judge, comments:—“Rich colour is seen as a commendation, we in New Zealand have not appreciated that, and have indeed shown prejudice against it.” Following is the actual text of the

Smithfield report, signed by Messrs. G. W. Sadler and J. I. Hamilton:—lt was quite a pleasing duty to have the disposal of such fine quality beef. Its realisation met with no difficulty. We found the condition very satisfactory. The flesh was free from ice, rich in colour, and when cut had a most attractive appearance. A feature most striking in its incidence was the excellent workmanship, which was so noticeable in the dressing. No fault could be found in this respect, and this tends to prove that given the requisite material, the staff in your works in New Zealand are the equals of any other. Possibly some breeders in New Zealand may take alarm by our award of first to such a small bullock, and regarding this we would say that the tendency to-day is for small, lean, butchers’ meat out of a bullock weighing live-weight 10001 b.; and the reason for this is that few families nowadays take large joints. No. 211.—First. An exc.eptional fine body of beef, carrying all the qualities constituting the “ideal” from the butcher’s standpoint. Internal and external fat, nicely proportioned, rich in colour and texture, small bone, and all muscle tissue well developed for such a small bullock (5681 b. The hindquarters were pleasing in appearance and had the symmetrical contour which denotes a well-bred animal. Points:—

Possible. Awards. General conformation 15 15 Texture of flesh 10 10 Fullness of flesh and proportion of fat to lean .... .10 10 Smallness of bone 5 5 Bloom 5 5 Weight (1801 b. quarters and under) ... 5 5 50 50 No. 241.—Second. Weight 6231 b. Our difficulty with these quarters caused a great deal of discussion, as they were “ideal” from a trade standpoint. However, we were generally agreed and finally convinced that the bone was not as fine as No. 211. Also the eye of the “wing end” in comparison to weight was not so full fleshed. Further, the flank was thicker in proportion, which Lo the discriminating buyer is a factor at time of purchase. Points awarded: 15, 10, 10. 4,5, 5; total 49.

No. *l2.—Third. In awarding this third place, though full fleshed, and a frame well packed with muscle, rich in colour, and nice in grain, the external distribution of fat on the ribs was a little out of proportion and lost it two points. Awarded points: 15, 10, 8,5, 5,5; total 48. (Carcase weight of 212 was 6181 b.) No. 216.—Fourth. Weight 7171 b. Very nicely proportioned quarters, carrying a wealth of meat with fat covering just “ideal” from a trade standpoint. Unfortunately the weight exceeded the average trade requirements. Points awarded: 15, 10, 10, 5, 5,0; total 45.