It is proving to be a very successful collaboration between St Catherine's Catholic College, Singleton and Bruce and Helen Scrivener, Bonny Brooke Angus, Yarrowitch.
Angus steers bred by the Scriveners and exhibited by St Catherine's have just taken out their second major carcase award for 2021.
Their latest triumph was at Wingham Beef Week where their purebred entry won the schools' middleweight and grand champion carcase award with a score of 94.92.
The entry gained a perfect score for market specifications, had an eye muscle area of 102cm and achieved an MSA index of 67.43. That index score makes the steer one of the top performers across the MSA index.
He had been at the school since late 2020 and was finished on an Alexander Downs feed mix.
Earlier this year a Bonny Brooke steer exhibited by St Catherine's at the Sydney Royal won the champion virtual taste test ribbon.
The champion Wingham steer was by a homebred bull that can trace his genetics back to Right Time through Booroomooka Angus sires the Scriveners have purchased from the Bingara stud.
A delighted Mr Scrivener said he was most pleased at the size of the eye muscle on a purebred Angus.
Not new to success at Wingham he added the MSA index was also pretty impressive. He and his wife were among the founders of Wingham Beef Week and have supported the event as volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors since its inception.
Now both in their 80s they continue to enjoy breeding Angus cattle and supporting schools who want to learn about the industry through carcase competitions.
The couple switched from Hereford and crossbreeding with Brahmans more than three decades ago to concentrate on stud and commercial Angus. This change coincided with their permanent move to Yarrowitch from their home property at Mount George near Wingham.
Today they run 130 breeders which selection based on temperament, milk and carcase traits.
And it is obvious from their continuing success and that of their son Alan and daughter-in-law Megan that they know how to breed Angus with high performance carcase traits.
Entries at Wingham from Alan and Megan took out the majority of the other major awards. These steers carry the Bonny Brooke genetics and won heavyweight champion (score 93.30), champion pen of four (score 370.16), champion (score 185.3) and reserve (184.28) champion pen of two, best grassfed exhibit.
The lightweight carcase went to a Limousin entry from Tamworth High School.
This year's event was a carcase only competition due to ongoing COVID restrictions which prevented the usual full week of competitions and educational activities.
It hope 2022 will see the full program make a welcome return.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
