Charolais cross wins top carcase award

right, John Brown with his winning Charolais cross ribs with judge, Jim Patrick with steward, Rory Duff

A Charolais cross heifer was awarded the supreme championship this week in the Royal Smithfield Club’s National Festival of Meat beef ribs competition at the Royal Highland Winter Fair, Edinburgh.

Exhibited by John Brown, Airdrie, Lanark, the winning carcase headed an entry of eight carcases in the under 342kg section, before going on to win the overall award.

Judge, John Patrick, of Patrick's of Camelon, Camelon, Falkirk commented: “This carcase had nice conformation, nice, marbling, nice colouring and a nice covering of fat. There were one or two other contenders for the top slot, however she was the sharpest and had the most pleasing appearance.” He added: “This carcase would certainly be among the handful I buy each week for my shop. I like Charolais crosses for their tenderness and after hanging properly for 21 days or more, they make for the ideal carcase.”