Phoines Pastoral Company, run by Edwin and his wife Linda won the hotly contested pen of three class with the only purebred Murray Grey cattle in the recently-held grassfed competition.

Their 12 steers were among more than 220 entries delivered to Teys Brothers, Naracoorte from 50 producers across the South East and western Vic.

Murray Greys have built up an enviable record in carcase competitions, and Edwin says it is rewarding to know they are on the right track with their EU-accredited breeding herd.

In past years, Phoines has also tasted success in the Hamilton Beef Expo carcase competition.

The enthusiastic advocate of the breed is also quick to point out the champion carcase for the second year in a row was a Murray Grey-Limousin cross.

Murray Greys were the first cattle run on the 1000-hectare picturesque grazing property when it was bought by Edwin's parents in 1968, and while they have dabbled in a few different breeds (including Wagyus), the silver and grey cattle have remained pride of place for their calving ease and docility.

"The calving ease is a big thing with Murray Greys and they finish well on grass," Edwin said.

Phoines aims to turn off 300-kilogram to 320kg carcase-weight steers at 21 to 22 months, selling over hooks and take advantage of up to a 30 cents/kg premium above the normal grid price for European Union-accredited cattle.

Edwin says another winning trait of Murray Greys is their market flexibility. They can be turned-off at any age, but another 1000ha of land in the Dartmoor area, south west of Casterton enables the Edges to finish their own cattle, rather than sell to a feedlot or grass backgrounder.

The long-time supply of bulls has been from one of the oldest Murray Grey studs The Glen, at Walwa, Vic, and Edwin is quick to praise the performance of the bulls for producing fast-growing calves.

Edwin has also bought from local stud Lindsay and looks for structurally sound sires with the good length that he says adds weight to their progeny, and high 600-day weight Breedplan estimated breeding values.

* Full Livestock report in Stock Journal, December 17 issue.