THE annual Hoof and Hook Competition conducted by the Pakenham Show Society on the weekend of 19 and 20 November was a huge success.
A total of 21 head of prime beef cattle were exhibited.
Judging of the hoof section was conducted at the Victorian Livestock Exchange in Pakenham Kooweerup Road, Pakenham, by Larry Cutler of Willow Grove on the Saturday night with a good crowd in attendance.
The winner of the Champion animal on the hoof was a Limousin Hereford cross steer exhibited by Seebeck Pastoral.
The Reserve Champion award was won by Steve Robinson of Mornington who exhibited a Limousin cross heifer.
Exhibitors and a number of other spectators also attended the judging of the hook section that took place on Tuesday at Radford’s abattoirs Warragul.
The judge of this section was Steve Walsh from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Judging of the hook section takes into account market specifications, saleable meat yield and eating quality.
The Champion animal on the hook was a Simmental cross steer exhibited by Peter & Michael Van Hout of Shady Creek. The Reserve Champion was a Belgian Blue cross heifer exhibited by Greg and Fiona O’Brien of Trafalgar.
Points scored by the winning carcasses were remarkably close and readily aligned with the placing of the cattle on the hoof, thereby confirming the ability of Mr Cutler as a skilled judge of beef cattle.
George Wall, president of the Pakenham Show Society, in congratulating the winners at the VLE, said that the excellent support from exhibitors and sponsors was the prime reason for the success of the competition.
