The Owaka farmers learnt from last year, when they entered a "large steer" and ended up near the tail end of the field, and decided that an 18-month-old heifer might be more competitive.
While some farmers were using DNA tests to find cattle with the tenderness gene, the Dreavers had a more simple system.
"Basically, we just walked out into the paddock and chose one," Jacqui Dreaver said this week.
It worked.
The Highlander-shorthorn cross heifer entered by the Dreavers was a finalist in the Steak of Origin competition, with the winner to be announced in Feilding next Monday.
So far, steak from the entry has been studied for its tenderness, pH level and cooking loss.
The top ranked meat was then chosen for the semifinal, where it was tasted by experts and the public.
Next Monday, a judging panel will once again use their taste buds as they determine the winners, but the Dreavers will not be attending.
Mrs Dreaver said they were not worried about being unable to be at Feilding.
They had already achieved more than they had hoped for.