Final countdown for New Zealand Farmers
Thursday 1 March 2012, 9:31AM
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The finalists of the 2012 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Golden Lamb Awards (aka The Glammies) have been announced.
Twenty finalists from across the nation have their hopes set on taking out the Grand Champion Award at the 2012 Glammies competition, which aims to find New Zealand’s most tender and tasty lamb.
A handful of first time finalists have made the cut and are aiming to outshine the experienced few who have been in this position multiple times.
The finalists were determined from a record 150 entries, after an extensive testing process at Carne Technologies.
Carne Technologies project manager, Tracey Cummings, says the tests they run mimic attributes consumers experience when eating New Zealand lamb.
“We analyse the eating quality of each lamb entry, based on tenderness, colour and succulence as these are important factors for the consumer,” says Tracey.
The final showdown, in the form of a taste test, will be held at the Upper Clutha A & P Show in Wanaka on Friday 9th March.
Twenty lamb legs will be tasted by a panel of judges including 2011 Supercross World Cup Champion Sarah Walker, 2012 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ambassador Chef Ben Batterbury and Chief Judge & Invercargill chef Graham Hawkes, alongside a mystery guest judge.
The 2012 Grand Champion will take home a cheque of $2000 and the Glammies Grand Champion Trophy, with the winning retailer awarded the 2012 Champion Meat Retailer trophy.
Background Information
The Golden Lamb Awards (aka The Glammies) competition aims to find the highest yielding, most tender and tasty lamb in New Zealand. It is open to sheep farmers and retailers from around the country.
The Glammies has been running since 2007. The idea originated from the success of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s beef competition, Steak of Origin. It was therefore timely to have the equivalent for the lamb industry.
2012 Glammies Finalists
Class 1 – Dual Purpose
Don Morrison, Gore (Growbulk) processed at Alliance Mataura
Patrick Sherriff, Gisborne (Perendale/Coopworth) processed at Silver Fern Farms Takapau
Pete Swinburn & Bruce Isefs, Waipukurau (Composite/Perendale) processed at Silver Fern Farms Takapau
Roger & Allison Thomas, Tuatapere (Perendale Texel X/Perendale) processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand
Class 2 – Dual Purpose X Terminal
James Crutchley, Palmerston (Texel Romney X/South Dorset Down) processed at Blue Sky Meats
Robert & Rosemary Gardyne, Winton (Perendale Texel X) processed at Alliance Mataura
Colin Lockhart, Lawrence (Romney/Texel Suffolk) processed at Alliance Mataura
Hamish Pavey, Christchurch (Romney/Suffolk Texel) processed at Silver Fern Farms Fairton
Class 3 – Composite/Crossbreed X Terminal
W & L Black, Riverton (Textra/Texel) processed at Alliance Mataura
Graeme Dodd, Tuatapere (Texel Romney X/Texel) processed at Alliance Mataura
Sarah Rodie, Amberley (Texel X/Texel) processed at Harris Meats
Murray & Jan Wards, Gore (Textra/Textra Suffolk) processed at Alliance Mataura
Class 4 – Open
Graham Clarke, Gore (Romney/Romney) processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand
William Oliver, Te Kuiti (Perendale Romney X/Landlord Romney) processed at Silver Fern Farms Waitotara
Brian Thomson, Mosgiel (Perendale/South Suffolk Texel) processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand
Matt Wyeth, Masterton (Highlander/Primera) processed at Silver Fern Farms Takapau
Class 5 – Retail
Harris Meats, Cheviot (Murray Downs)
Harris Meats, Cheviot (Murray Downs)
Progressive Enterprises Ltd, Countdown South Island
Progressive Enterprises Ltd, Countdown South Island