THE Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society ran a very successful Hoof and Hook competition on 5 December at VLE Pakenham and later at Radford’s Abattoirs, Warragul.
The hoof section was very well attended where a large crowd enjoyed dinner and later the judging of Geordie Elliott from Byaduk.
Geordie was very impressed with the quality of the cattle entered in the competition. Geordie was looking for a well bred animal in prime condition with the correct amount of fat cover, this was not an easy task. He awarded first prize in the 250kg-325kg section to F. and A. Moya with a Red Poll steer, 325kg. The second section did not prove any easier. The award in section 2, 330kg-385kgs went to Warragul Regional College with a Murray Grey steer, 385 kgs. In section 3, 390kg-460kg the winner was S. Robinson with an Inra-cross steer 460 kgs.
After much thought Geordie placed S. Robinson’s Inra-cross steer champion on the hoof and Warragul Regional College’s Murray Grey steer reserve champion.
The ribbons and prize-money were presented by Cr David Young, who has been a long-time supporter of the Hoof and Hook Competition. David said it was a very enjoyable night and it was great to see so many young people taking part.
At Radford’s Abattoir on Tuesday 8 December, a much larger crowd than usual assembled.
Paul Sheedy, resident MSA judge, had been working since the early hours of the morning measuring and colour coding fat and meat colour, checking pH and awarding points for eating quality.
First prize in section 1 went to Susan Johnston with a Blonde-cross heifer, 88.3 points. In section 2, first prize went to J. McGuiness with a Limousin-cross steer, 87.7 points. In section 3, first prize went to Andy Fyfe with a Limousin-cross steer, 88.9 points. Reserve champion in the hook section went to Susan Johnston and champion went to Andy Fyfe.
Society president Geoff Young thanked exhibitors and sponsors and all who attended. Geoff also thanked Robert Radford and Paul Sheedy for the time taken to make the competition such a wonderful success, so informative and so educational for the many who attended.
