Blonde cross beef continues to attract premium prices as witnessed at trade sale at WA's Midland saleyards on Monday. Blonde sired beef topped the sale in both the grainfed and the baby beef sections. In a time when the beef industry is somewhat subdued, the prices received by Blondes cross cattle entered into this sale was well into positive territory.

A pen of 12 months old grainfed Blonde cross steers received the highest pen average selling for $855 per head. They had a curfew weight of 475 kg and made 180 c/kg.

Shortly after a pen of Blonde cross baby beef steers nominated by Peter Beacham from Pinjarrah also topped the sale at $830 per head. With an average weight of 495kg they sold for 168 c/kg. One standout steer sold for $1015. He weighed 505kg and made 201c/kg. All steers were only taken off their mothers the day before the sale and were 10 - 12 months of age.

Peter has been using Blonde bulls to mate his first and second cross Angus females for the past 8 years after switching from using Murray Grey bulls.

“The Blonde sired calves grow very rapidly and just continue to put on weight,” Peter said. “They allow me greater marketing options as they do not turn to fat when left on mum a little longer. Their weaning weights are just unbelievable. The calves are also very quiet and easy to handle,” he said.

One butcher bidding on the Blonde cross calves in Midland saleyards was Victoria Park butcher Helen Goddard-Borger from Swansea Meats. Helen has realised the Blonde advantage and is keen to source Blonde cross yearling beef whenever it is available. “One does not need to convince me about the benefit of Blondes crosses,” Helen said.

“With Blonde beef we get a very high dressing percentage averaging about 58% compared to a 53% dressing percentage from straight British breed steers. The meat colour is very good and due to the heavier muscling, the cuts have a better shape. There also is no fat wastage, and due to the Blonde’s known fine bones the carcasses yield more saleable beef.” 

Helen further explained “Blonde cross beef is basically a guaranteed product and due to the fact that each carcass supplies more and better quality beef, we are prepared to pay a premium for the well finished Blonde animals in the market place.”