Press Release
29/06/09
Steaks from cattle consigned by Deeside and Buchan beef producers
claimed the top four places in the annual McIntosh Donald/Tesco
Scotch steak championships at the Royal Highland Show.
 |
Brothers, Rodney (left) and Alex
(right) Blackhall are presented with their award by
George McIvor, chairman of the judge's panel |
Two steaks from Simmental cross steers were placed first
and second from an initial entry of 166 consigned by leading
producers from all over Scotland.
The 12 steaks in the final of the competition, assessed by
an expert tasting panel following the cook-off on the Tesco
stand, were described as “superb” by top chef,
George McIvor, former chairman of Master Chefs of Great Britain,
who chaired the judging panel.
“Scotch beef is recognised as the hallmark of quality
beef and the 12 steaks in the final could grace the table
of the finest restaurants anywhere in the world,” said
Mr McIvor.
The steaks selected for the final were from sirloins judged
visually at the preliminary judging on May 25 at McIntosh
Donald’s Portlethen meat plant.
The top steak came from a two year old Simmental cross steer
from Ian Blackhall and his two sons, Alex and Rodney, of
Milton of Durris, Banchory, Aberdeenshire. The 373.4kg steer
was home-bred and graded –U for conformation and three
for fat cover.
“I can only describe the eating quality of the winning
steak as superb,” said Mr McIvor. “It simply
melted in the mouth.”
The winning trophy and cheque for £1000 was presented
to Alex and Rodney by Tesco commercial director, Colin Holmes,
who announced that Scotch beef from McIntosh Donald was being
introduced into a further 80 Tesco stores in England as from
July 1.
“Tesco is already Scottish farming’s biggest
customer with annual purchases of £2 billion from our
Scottish suppliers,” said Mr Holmes. “The extension
of our Scotch beef offer into a further 80 English stores
is good news for Scottish beef producers and is a further
demonstration of Tesco’s commitment to Scotland.”
The Blackhall family have built up a suckler herd of 80 cows
over the past four years and use Simmental bulls to breed
their own replacements. Winter feeding is grown on the farm
and includes grass and arable silage, barley and surplus
potatoes, plus bought-in draff (distillery by-product).
“We have had cattle in the competition before but this
is the first time we have reached the final,” said
Rodney. “We finish all calves born on the farm, except
heifers retained as replacements, for McIntosh Donald, along
with bought-in stores.”
The family also have well-known flocks of Texel and Bluefaced
Leicester sheep and a commercial flock of 600 ewes.
The runner-up was also from a Simmental cross steer grading –U4L
and consigned by Ian Buchan, Overton of Knaven, Maud, Peterhead,
Aberdeenshire. This one weighed in at 364.4kg.
|
