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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:05 pm
by Colin
Had a couple of steers back from the abattoir and the report said the grade is R 4L. I can't find much information to explain this grading system. Anybody point me in the right direction ?
Colin
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:23 pm
by domsmith
qms here in scotland and eblex in england wales. look for europe grading system.
they cant be dexters at r4l that is pretty much the commercial perfect score. e would be belgian blue p is dairy. it follows the spelling of europ, see!! r would be limo or charley crosses.
r is the conformation dexters would be p or o i think. well mine are o normally
4 is the fat.4 is fatter i think.
some one else might know more
dom
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:42 pm
by Pennielea
Colin
You should be delighted to get R4L that is about as good as it gets if they were pure Dexter. We aim to produce to R3 for our scheme over here and get it fairly regularly
Ian
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:54 pm
by Colin
Yes they were both pure grass fed dexters. Is there anywhere I can read up on this system ?
Colin
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:42 am
by Pennielea
Colin
Our local website is www.lmcni.com but as it is a european scheme this should apply in all countries
Ian
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:49 am
by Pennielea
Sorry Colin
I am not very good at this
Then followw Industry Information...Industry Development... Classificatiobn
Ian
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:50 am
by SteveM
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:21 am
by Broomcroft
I have heard that the grading systems are to change to be more in line with American and Australian systems. Marbling will be scored as an indication of eating quality. Maybe that's why the best Angus steaks I've ever had by miles was in America?
Edited By Broomcroft on 1253175705
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:24 pm
by carole
Hi Colin
As Ian said you should be very pleased with a 4RL our first got that grading, unfortunately our next one brought us down to earth with a P+4L (our butcher was fine about it as that is what they expect from a Dexter) Anyway EBLEX produce some very good manuals and provide free training. I attended a half day course on grading cattle where we visited a local abbatoir and graded the animals on the hoof and then saw what score they achieved at the end of the day.
http://www.eblex.org.uk/beefbrp/publications/manuals/
You need to register to view the manuals
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:17 pm
by Colin
Many thanks for this, this is just what I was looking for.
One of the steers went to the local butcher. He's just phoned me to say a lady, who bought some sirloin steaks yesterday, popped in today and told him these were marvellous, the best steaks she has ever tasted.
Colin
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:20 pm
by Colin
Had an 18 month old steer carcase graded as O+3 in February, which I was pleased with. He had to go, I couldn't keep him longer. Cold weight 141 kg.
Just had a 29 month old steer done and he's R4H. Cold weight 210 kg. Not seen the meat yet, it arrives next week.
Both grass fed, pure dexters.
Regards,
Colin
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 6:00 pm
by Broomcroft
I've done 2 steers this week, one 22 months old graded O+3, the other, 26 months old graded O+4L. Neither were great steers but both OK. I'd like to have sent them both a couple of months later but needed the beef. Both about 200kg deadweight.
Also did two heifers last week both about 24 months, they graded O+4L as well. Again they could have done with a couple more months on fresh grass. Also a bull who came out 261 kg deadweight and graded O+2. He went for pies.
Colin, with your two steers, was the difference in weight just the age and the one had grown more, or were they different sized animals from the outset?
Edited By Broomcroft on 1275670868
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 6:19 pm
by AlisonKirk
Clive
These steers - are they pedigree Dexter or Dexter X Angus?
Regards
Alison Kirk
Boram Dexters
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 7:47 pm
by Broomcroft
They are Dexters Alison. The oldest cross is just 6 months at the mo. The crosses will all grade much higher and have more muscle tone right from birth, but they won't have the Dexter flavour. Personally, I don't think grading in the UK has anything at all to do with flavour and is best ignored. As I've said before, if you graded a Wagyu it would probably be rubbish!!!! I think I'm correct in saying that in the US and in Australia, a Dexter cross would grade high. UK grading is about looking at meat not tasting it. Tell me I'm wrong but that's how it appears and why I hear the supermarkets are going to want a change.
Edited By Broomcroft on 1275677630
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 11:45 pm
by Denise
Hi Clive,
Our Dexters in hoof and hook competitions in Oz - always come dead last in the hoof part, and up in the first 5 in the hook competition - in the lightweight .
Our beef classification is driven by the large supermarkets, hence we do so badly in hoof sections as the "judges" are usually abbatoir buyers - and they always get the biggest, heaviest up - but the carcase quality isnt as good as the Dexter.