Page 72 - Farm Weekly
Thursday, 18 September 2008
THE quality of WA lamb has been recognised nationally at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) 2008 Spring Fine Food Show held this week.
Two gold medals were awarded in the inaugural competition, with Hillside Tender Meats, Narrogin, rewarded for the quality of its grain-fed WA Q Lamb and Richard Gunner's Fine Meats, Kent town, South Australia, recognised for its grass-fed Hay Valley Lamb.
A pair of "cap-on" Q Lamb frenched racks gained the gold medal in the branded lamb category.
This will allow Q Lamb to place a Sydney Royal gold sticker on this product for 12 months, in addition to the Buy West, Eat Best logo all Q Lamb products already carry.
Judging was based on the texture and visual appearance of the cooked rack and then on the aroma, tenderness, juiciness, flavour and overall liking of the cooked lamb.
The branded lamb competition formed part of the Fine Food Show for the first time this year and received entries from every state. Under competition from leading interstate brand names, WA featured in the awards in both the grain and grain fed classes.
WA Q Lamb is the result of a production and marketing alliance founded 12 years ago. All product is killed and processed for both domestic and export consumers by Hillside Abattoirs, Narrogin.
The ability to supply a product of the finest quality consistently all year round is based on a combination of cutting edge science, careful animal husbandry and meticulous processing. | Associate Professor David Pethick was able to advise both producers and processor on methods required to maintain the eating quality of sheep meat, while Dr John Milton devised a ration formula that enabled lambs to achieve target weights year round.
Members of the Q Lamb alliance work cooperatively, sharing knowledge and experience to maintain and achieve the desired outcomes.
Hillside Abattoirs is the only MSA-accredited sheep meat abattoir in WA. The family-run business won a bronze medal at the Fine Food Show for a “cap-off” frenched rack packaged under its own brand, Hillside Tender Meats.
Hillside was also the processor of the Dorper Lamb product that was awarded two silver medals - one in the grass fed category and on in the grain fed class.
The Find Food Show has been rewarding excellence in aquaculture, branded beef, deli meat, olive oil and regional food for some time, but Fine Food chairwoman, Lyndey Milan, said it was decided to also add a lamb competition this year.
“Its inclusion mirrors the current consumer trends that indicate a rising interest in lamb products and provenance,” Ms Milan said.
Sheepmeat Council of Australia president, Chris Groves, who was among the judges on Tuesday, said the inclusion of lamb in the Fine Food Show was rewarding excellence in and innovative industry.
“It's great for the lamb industry and sheep industry in general,” Mr Groves said. “There was some magnificent lamb there.”
The forthcoming Perth Royal Show will provide consumers with an opportunity to taste WA Q Lamb with tastings being conducted in the Centenary Pavilion. Tastings will be held from 11am to 1pm on Monday, September 29, Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1. |
Q NEWS