Piedmontese Cattle NAPA

Piedmontese Win BIG in New Zealand

Above: Colin Brown with the Supreme Brand Award at the 2009 Steak of origin Competition in New Zealand, won by a Piedmontese crossed animal from Don Buchanan's herd.

Above: Catherine Withers, from Rotorua, NZ with the Breeder's Grand Champion Award for her Piedmontese X Fresian.

Don Buchanan, Colin Brown and Catherine Withers are shown together in the top photograph.

Congratulations To ALL !

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PIEDMONTESE BREED MAKES CLEAN SWEEP IN STEAK OF ORIGIN

The 2009 Meat and Wool New Zealand Steak of Origin competition had the highest numbers of entries of any year, with 350. Beef and Lamb NZ are to be congratulated on making this event the “best ever”.

The majority of cattle breeds eagerly contested the event to find this year's “best steak” in New Zealand. It reflects on their breed, and the importance of their breeds ability to deliver the tastiest and most succulent steak.

What surprised many (but not our Society) was a minor breed (by numbers) made a clean sweep of the major awards. Piedmontese entries were finalists in every division they entered, cementing the fact that they have had a presence in the finals every year.

The Supreme Brand Award (for beef sold into the New Zealand market) was won by Lake Farm Beef of Cambridge (www.lakefarmbeef.co.nz) with a Piedmontese crossed animal, bred by Don Buchanan – a significant Piedmontese breeder in New Zealand. Lake Farm Beef is a new entrant, and director, Colin Brown was thrilled.

“As a business who wants to delight their customers with outstandingly tender, tasty meat, we were naturally drawn to the Piedmontese breed. It is genetically the tenderest beef, and the Steak of Origin Judges agree with us that it's also one of the tastiest” said Colin. “We have a long term project to consistently grow the best beef in the country, and to have recognition so early in our business life is humbling” he said.

Don Buchanan who bred the beast for Lake Farm Beef also won third place in the Best of European section of the competition, and over the years has picked up major prizes in the competition. “I invested in the breed over 20 years ago and whilst most other King Country farmers have grown traditional breeds, I realised early what unique characteristics the breed has”, he said. “It produces more red meat per hectare than any other cattle breed, and it is also the healthiest and tastiest beef. A purebred animal has less cholesterol than fish, and produces more meat per carcass weight than any other breed I know” said Don. “It does not need a university degree to work out why commercial breeders should be crossing their animals with Piedmontese”.

The breeder's Grand Champion Award was won by Catherine Withers, from Rotorua. Catherine's entry was also a Piedmontese/Fresian crossed animal, and she was equally delighted with her win. “I was so happy to win the crossbred division, but to beat both European and British breeders for the main prize was a huge thrill” she said. “Traditionally the British breeds take out the major awards, but for Piedmontese to make a clean sweep this year is truly remarkable. To win both sections clearly show that there is something very special with this breed”.

“Of course this is not news to us. We know that Piedmontese have unique characteristics not found in other cattle. I just hope this recognition will get farmers understanding the opportunities available with this breed for terminal sires” she said.

Piedmontese Web Site: www.piedmontese.org.nz
Contact people: Don Buchanan (7)896-6845
Colin Brown (7)827-8292 (27)575-0301
Catherine Withers (07)333-2852 (27)405-8888
Photos by: Graham Brown - photographer

Rare Breed Steaks Its Claim - article on The Dominion Post