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Why Limousin?
LIMOUSIN PROVE THEIR WORTH
By: Peter Kylstra, "Manor Park",Wingello, N.S.W.
As a Limousin enthusiast but non–Limousin member with a 15 year association with the breed, both in the stud arena and the real world of commercial cattle, I believe the true worth of the Limousin breed is yet to be promoted properly.
After having a chance to sit down and analyze the results of the 2003 Sydney Royal Show steer & Carcase competition I have put together some results worth mentioning.
Limousin breed won : 1st place in 6 out of the 12 led classes (50%)
Also winning :
Grand Champion School Steer
Reserve Champion School Steer
Champion Middleweight Open Steer
Champion Heavyweight Open Steer
Supreme Champion Led Steer
Also worth a mention, Limousin was rated 1st in the Live category of the prestigious Stan Hill trophy.
Limousin also won:
Grand Champion School Carcase
Reserve Champion School Carcase
Grand Champion Heavyweight Carcase
Reserve Champion Heavyweight Carcase
The Limousin breed finished a close second behind the Murray Grey's in the Stan Hill Trophy losing by just 1 point: 372.5 to 371.5 and well infront of the Angus on 356.5
These results not only prove that Limousin breeders are producing the right article within the breed ( and need to be congratulated for their achievements) but proves that the breed is more than competitive in a between breeds comparison.
If the above mentioned results are not enough to convert the commercial breeder over to the Limousin breed, I will try to explain why the Limousin breed commands a premium price over most other breeds in the sale yards on a weekly basis.
Out of the 170 steers exhibited at the Sydney Royal only 8 carcasses scored 90 points or better :
1 x ANGUS
2 x MURRAY GREY
5 x LIMOUSIN
To do a direct comparison of the 3 breeds I took the 5 point scoring carcasses of each breed to compare, the results are as follows :
Limousin (32 Entries):
|
Cat. No.
|
Wgt
|
EMA
|
Dress %
|
Pts
|
|
304
|
604
|
122
|
63.1
|
92
|
|
289
|
508
|
107
|
65.1
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91.5
|
|
305
|
502
|
104
|
64.5
|
91
|
|
806
|
596
|
114
|
62.2
|
90.5
|
|
840
|
570
|
110
|
63.7
|
90
|
|
Ave.
|
556
|
111.4
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63.72
|
91
|
Murray Grey (36 Entries):
|
Cat. No.
|
Wgt
|
EMA
|
Dress %
|
Pts
|
|
647
|
438
|
92
|
60.2
|
93.5
|
|
640
|
446
|
88
|
61.2
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90.5
|
|
621
|
416
|
78
|
60.2
|
88
|
|
831
|
604
|
105
|
59.1
|
87
|
|
431
|
372
|
75
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55.0
|
87
|
|
Ave.
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454.8
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87.6
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59.14
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89.2
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Angus (39 Entries):
|
Cat. No.
|
Wgt
|
EMA
|
Dress %
|
Pts
|
|
801
|
534
|
97
|
58.3
|
92
|
|
611
|
414
|
89
|
58.9
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89.5
|
|
404
|
364
|
79
|
57.3
|
88
|
|
835
|
522
|
92
|
56.9
|
88
|
|
207
|
446
|
89
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60.1
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87
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Ave.
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456
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89.2
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58.3
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88.9
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When Comparing dressing percentages the Limousin averaged 63.72% compared with 58.72% of the combined Murray Grey and Angus average.(5% less than Limousin).
If you compare this with a Limousin @ 500kg to a Murray Grey or Angus @ 500kg it would equate to 25kg of extra carcase weight or $200.00 to the retailer if you took a conservative average of $8.00 per kilogram.
To find the top 5 Murray Grey or Angus carcasses I had to go down to a minimum of 87 points, so in a sort of all carcasses that scored 87 points or better I came up with a total of 25 exhibits.
In a break down of breeds Limousin once again came out superior with almost 50% of the elite carcasses:
12 x LIMOUSIN
5 x MURRAY GREY
5 x ANGUS
1 x SIMMENTAL
1 x BELTED GALLOWAY
1 x SQUARE MEATER
After comparing these results my conclusion are that the Limousin breed not only produces an elite animal on the hoof but also lives up to its reputation as the Carcase Breed by not only producing an elite carcase but doing it more consistently than any other breed with the added advantage of 5% better dressing percentage.
One other point I would like to mention is out of all the steers in the competition only two exhibits received penalty points, both being Limousin and both for dressing to high and falling outside the optimum carcase weight.
Catalogue No 301 Received a 19 Point penalty after dressing at 64.1%
Catalogue No 302 Received an 18 Point penalty after dressing at 65.7%
Both steers would have scored in excess of 90 points without the penalty imposed. I am amazed that Limousin cattle are still being penalised for producing too much product and not being rewarded for their superiority.
Limousin History
Origin Of The Breed
The Limousin breed originated in the rugged, granite type country region of France – where the summers are hot and winters are severe.
The history of the Limousin goes back more than 7,000 years to an area surrounding the French city of Limoges were rough cave paintings showing the characteristics of the breed have been discovered and carbon dated. The Limousin herd book was established in 1886.
The first Limousin cross calf in Australia was born in 1973 and the first full blood Limousin was imported in 1975.
Today the Limousin breed can be found in more than fifty countries from the northern most herds of Finland and the Commonwealth of Soviet States to Countries such as Cuba, South Africa and China.
Breed Characteristics
The Limousin is a rich gold colour, with lighter circles around the eye and muzzle, and shading to a lighter colour on the legs. Limousins can also be black as a result of grading up from black cattle in Australia. These however are not French Pure Limousin.
The head is small and short with a broad forehead, and the neck is short.
All French Pure Limousin are naturally horned. In Australia polled Limousin have been developed. Most horned Limousin are dehorned at a young age.
The Limousin is intermediate in size and maturity between British breeds and most other European Breeds.
Hardiness
Limousin cattle adapt to diverse climates and the widest range of management systems, from the top end of the Northern Territory to the highlands of Central Tasmania.
Ease of Calving
Limousin calves have low birth weights, which lead to minimum calving problems when Limousin bulls are used over cows of other breeds.
High Dressing Percentage
Limousin crossbred steers and heifers have high dressing percentages of 58 - 63 percent compared to an average of 53 - 58 percent.
High Yield
High meat to bone ratios and low fat leads to outstanding yields of saleable meat from Limousin cross carcases. Yields of up to 80% of saleable meat are not uncommon.
Tender Healthy Beef
Limousin meat is finely textured, tender and low in saturated fats and cholesterol. It is genetically trimmed.
Efficiency
Limousin cattle are efficient - they have moderate mature size and are excellent foragers walking long distances for food. They also have above average feed conversion rates.
Genetic Strength
The Limousin stamps its characteristics on other breeds when used in crossbreeding programs, especially its superior carcase characteristics.
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