Tuesday, 20 November 2012 09:18

New Zealand’s best lamb

Written by Pamela Tipa

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North Canterbury farmer Hugh Taylor has taken out the 2012 Mint Lamb Competition, producing the country's best lamb 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 this country.

Lambs were judged on the hook at an Alliance plant for Best Overall Yield. The Top Best Overall Yield from each class (dual purpose, dual purpose/cross terminal, composite/crossbred cross terminal and terminal) from the North Island and the South Island and then the next 10 highest yielding lambs overall were the finalists. The finalists were Tender Tested at Lincoln University and then Taste Tested at the 2012 Canterbury A&P Show.

The cuts of meat were cooked by leading Christchurch chef Gary Miller and taste tested in front of Show crowds. Judges included Ross Thomson (Alliance Group), Ed Marfell (Hazlett Rural Limited), Amy Adams (MP – Selwyn), Geoff Henthorn (Novartis) and celebrity chef Chris Fortune.
Hugh Taylor had two entries in the competition, both pure bred Romneys. The Taylors run Gleneyre, a long standing family owned and orientated farm near Oxford.

"We have been running a six year Merial Ancare Romney Trial in conjunction with Lincoln College and it's great to get a win to back up what we have been doing on the farm. We will definitely be entering again next year" says Taylor.

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 William Feetham from Hastings and third ($300 cash, $150 Novartis voucher) went to Murray Smith from Rangiora. Drafters also had the chance to win with the Drafter of the winning lamb receiving a bottle of Canterbury A&P Association 150th Commemorative Whisky. The whisky went to Marcus Taylor.

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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