With just over 140 entries this year's hoof judging of the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza was streamed live on Sunday evening from Scone saleyards.
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The competition like so many agricultural events in the last two years has been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but, unlike all the shows this spring, the Bonanza was able to go ahead in a 'virtual' setting.
To meet MSA standards the entries remained in their single pens which meant judge Chris Dobie, Nutrien, Scone, clocked up some milage walking to compare entries in each class.
He said the standard this year was very good and he enjoyed the challenge of judging at the yards and having to adapt to the requirements of viewing the entries in their pens rather than placing them side by side or together in pens for a final class or championship selection.
Once again the event attracted entries from throughout the Hunter, Mind North Coast, North West Slopes and Plains and Central West.
Supreme exhibit on the hoof was the Red Angus x Limousin entry from Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes.
The steer weighing 560kg won the first of the heavyweight classes 5A before going onto win the heavyweight champion ribbon.
Reserve heavyweight champion ribbon was another entry from Red Bend this time a Limousin weighting 588kg - first placed in class 5B.
Champion middleweight was a Limousin x Wagyu cross exhibit weighting 526kg entered by Macey Wake.
A Limousin entry from Macarthur Anglican School, Cobbitty was awarded the reserve champion middleweight entry.
Highlighting the success of Limousin entries was the champion heifer exhibited by Scone Grammar School and Tom and Julie Morton, Singleton. The heifer also won the highest placed purebred animal award.
Regular hoof and hook exhibitors and previously successful at the Bonanza Wallawong Premium Beef and H Birchall, Gunnedah exhibited the reserve champion heifer with a Murray Grey entry.
Carcase results will be available next week.
Major sponsor was Waverley Station Angus.