Country’s best lamb from paddock to plate

From 85 entries in the 2010 Mint Lamb Competition, Featherston farmers M & R McConachy have taken the top title with their Texel lamb named the country’s best, from paddock to plate.

Farmers from throughout New Zealand were invited to showcase their quality lamb and compete in the competition that celebrates the quality and variety of lamb available in New Zealand with a focus on increasing consumption of one of the country’s largest export earners.

Lambs were judged on the hook at an Alliance plant for Best Overall Yield with the best from each class (dual purpose, dual purpose/cross terminal, composite/crossbred cross terminal and terminal) from the North Island and the South Island plus the next ten highest yielding lambs taste tested at last Wednesday’s Canterbury A&P Show in Christchurch.

The cuts of meat were cooked by leading Christchurch chef Gary Miller and taste tested in front of Show crowds. Judges included Kelly Young (NZ MasterChef & Kel’s Kitchen), Ross Thomson (Alliance Group), Colin McKay (Novartis) and David Hazlett (Hazlett Rural Ltd).

The overall winner received a trophy, Show ribbon, cash prize of $1000 plus a $700 Zolvix product voucher. Second ($500 cash, $350 Zolvix voucher) went to Sarah Rodie from Amberley and third ($300 cash, $150 Novartis voucher) went to Andrew and Nicky Gardner from Waiau.

Drafters also had the chance to win with the Drafter of the winning lamb receiving a case of wine. The wine went to Andy Darling.

“We are fortunate to have the support of sponsors Alliance, Hazlett Rural Ltd and Novartis. The prizes are an excellent incentive but the recognition farmers receive is the real motivator for entering. Being recognised as producing the best quality lamb in the country is the ideal performance indicator” commented Mint Lamb Competition Convenor Tom Burrows.

There was no entry fee for the competition; proceeds from the gift lambs will be credited to the Canterbury A&P Association to support the development of the Canterbury A&P Show.

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