OB FLAT primary producers Greg and Elizabeth Malseed have claimed a national grass-fed beef quality award, with the win extra special given the award is named in memory of a childhood friend.
The Malseeds won the Allan Kranz Memorial Perpetual Trophy at the 2019/20 Southern Grassfed Carcase Classic for a high-marbling Murray Grey carcass processed at Teys in December.
Up against 1334 entries, the 390.2kg animal had a Meat Standards Australia index of 66.71, which was in the top 1pc of all MSA-graded grass-fed cattle nationally.
Purchased from a Mount Gambier store sale, the two-year-old steer had an MSA marble score of 850, with an eye muscle area of 90 square metres.
The successful Murray Grey had been grass-finished for almost 12-months, with the Malseeds also recording four of the top five ranking animals on eating quality from their 44 Murray Grey and Black Baldies entered.
With entries running from October 2019 through to March 2020, Mr Malseed said he put the outstanding result down to handling techniques he had learnt from decades of agricultural experience.
Growing up in a farming-orientated family which made the shift from Drik Drik to South Australia in 1951, Mr Malseed said he had learnt a few strategies over the years which he believed played part in mastering quality beef standard factors.
Often seen scouting pens at Limestone Coast saleyards, Mr Malseed said he was particular about what stock he purchased.
“I always get a second opinion through Nutrien Ag Solutions Mount Gambier stock agent Dale Keatley. What I like may not be what everyone else likes,” Mr Malseed said.
“I try to avoid horns and look for confirmation in the stock as well … you do not want the rough ones disrupting the others.
“Temperament is another thing, if I can scratch their rear end in the yard over a rail and they do not take off, they are a good mob.”
Usually sticking to a herd size of around 36 to 38 and not using any dogs, Mr Malseed often buys smaller pens to avoid disrupting the herd.
“If I bring cattle home here, I hand feed them, open the gate and walk away,” he said.
“As I do not have a trough in the paddock, they have to come into the yards to get a drink and get used to the surroundings.
“You also have to trust your truck driver as they play an important role in the process.”
The Malseeds said the award held a special place in their hearts, with the trophy honouring Allan Kranz, someone they became close with in 1985 as neighbours, remaining friends up until his death in 2018.
Speaking with The Border Watch, Allan’s son Mark Kranz said his father always enjoyed supporting and being a part of the carcase competition.
“It was something he always looked forward to, sitting down going through each individual figure, knowing what was good, what was bad and where things could be improved,” Mark said.
“Personally sitting there and watching when Greg’s name was announced I was a little bit emotional, because they were best mates.”
Ms Malseed said Allan was often known as the “cattle whisper” among close friends.
“My first comment when we found out was that I wish Allan could have been here to see it,” she said.
“He was just a wonderful friend … I had never seen anybody handle cattle like Allan did.
“Quiet, patient handling and time is key I think.”
The carcass competition maintains its community partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, handing over $27,656 from the 2019/20 event.
