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The quality steer, which was believed to be a Murray Grey-Charolais, was awarded the grand champion carcase title when it finished on the highest allocation of 86.7 points.

The 16-month-old youngster was sashed champion heavyweight carcase and reserve heavyweight steer on the hoof under the attentive eye of judge Andrew Raff, Raff Angus stud, King Island, Tasmania.

The steer weighed 512 kilograms liveweight and dressed at 59.9 per cent, with a hot carcase weight (HSCW) of 306.5kg.

It also recorded a 111cm2 for EMA, 10mm for rib and P8 fat, 340 for MSA marbling and MSA index of 56.57.

It scored perfect marks for rib fat and P8 fat and 34.57 out of 48 for eating quality and returned $2900 at auction.\

The steer was originally purchased at the saleyards by Johnson Meats managing director Terry Russell and while managing Terry’s property, Paradise Beef owner Gary Dimasi selected the grand champion animal out of a yarding of 250 steers.

“I liked his attributes and informed Terry I had found a quality steer which we were going to prepare for the show,” Mr Dimasi said.

The quality steer, which was believed to be a Murray Grey-Charolais, was awarded the grand champion carcase title when it finished on the highest allocation of 86.7 points.

The Dimasi family, of Paradise Beef, at Donnybrook, were awarded the top prize at the beef carcase award presentations at this year’s Perth Royal Show.

Their efforts to prepare a 150-day fed Murray Grey cross steer was a collaboration with the steer’s owners, Johnson Meats principals Terry and Kellee Russell, who also run their Cowtown Grazing property, at Boyup Brook.

The Russells accepted the award for their part in securing the steer from the saleyards through the expert advise of independent agent Greg Jones. “It was our first entry into the carcase competition, and we made the grade with a grand champion carcase win,” Mr Russell said. “Gary Dimasi and his very capable staff have prepared show-winning carcases in the past, but he did us proud with our first contract-fed show steer.” The Russells’ steer was earlier judged reserve champion heavyweight in front of the eyes of judge Andrew Raff, of Raff Angus, at King’s Island, at Tasmania.