The Asda/ABP BeefLink steak competition at the Royal Highland Show saw the top honours shared between two competitors.
In an unusual twist all the prize-winning steaks were from heifers, with the joint first-prize winners coming from British Blue cross and Limousin cross cattle.
Sharing the top spot were Hugh Gordon, Clochnahill, Stonehaven, and Robert Dawson, Devon Farm, Kennoway, each coming out top under a panel of four judges: two members of the public, QMS’ marketing controller Suzie Carlaw and Marc Robertson, executive chef at Dakota Edinburgh.
The Gordon steak came from a 23-month-old British Blue heifer which graded -U4L and weighed 363kg deadweight.
The Dawson steak was from a 25-month-old Limousin cross heifer which also graded -U4L and weighed 340kg.
Picking up third place, and with it £350, was an entry from DW and BM Pickard, Balmullo. This one came from a 24-month old British Blue cross heifer which graded U+4L and came from a carcase weighing 323kg deadweight.
The fourth-place honours were also shared between two competitors, with Auchtydore Farms, Mintlaw, Peterhead, and MW Jack, Markinch, splitting the prizes here.
Auchtydore Farms’ steak came from a 22-month-old Limousin cross heifer which graded U+3 and weighed 363kg on the hook.
The joint prize winner from MW Jack also came from a Limousin-sired heifer.
This one was just 14 months old.
It was graded E3.
This steak came from a 325kg carcase.
Steaks in the competition were from carcases which qualified for Asda’s Extra Special range, being from carcases grading E and U and weighing 300-380kg.
Steaks from these carcases were matured for 28 days.