Queensland beef producers have again proven the quality of their cattle genetics, dominating the weight gain phase of the RNA’s 2023 Paddock to Palate Competition and Wagyu Challenge.
Juandah Grazing of Guluguba in the Western Downs won Class 37 (100 day) at the awards presentation in Toowoomba last week, with their Charolais-cross recording an average daily weight gain (ADG) of 3.057kg.
They also won the highest individual weight gain for Class 37A, with the heaviest of their pen of six weighing in at 3.33kg.
Devon Court Herefords, also of the Western Downs, had success in Class 38 (70 day), with its pen recording an ADG of 3.121kg.
One of the steers in its winning pen had an ADG of 3.5kg, winning the Highest Individual Weight Gain for Class 38A, which was also the largest ADG recorded in the 2023 competition.
Tom Nixon, Devon Court Herefords, Drillham said on Facebook he was “absolutely over the moon“ with the results from the first stage of the Paddock to Palate Competition.
“Big thanks to JBS Australia for doing a fantastic job in preparing the steers, the EKKA committee and sponsors,“ he said.
“What a wonderful opportunity to showcase our cattle in this most prestigious event.
“Congratulations to all the other winners and nominees.
“Now, the long wait to see the carcass results.“
In the Wagyu Challenge, Hewitt Pastoral Enterprises from Taroom in the Banana Shire came first in Class 39A (pen of 6) with its Wagyu Brahman-cross recording an ADG of 1.294kg.
Shima Wagyu won the Highest Individual Weight Gain for its Shorthorn/ Wagyu with an ADG of 1.516kg.
Meanwhile, Palgrove Pastoral Company of Bukkulla in NSW placed first in the Highest Individual Weight Gain for Class 40 (HGP-free), with its winning pen of Charolais-cross weighing in with an ADG of 2.445kg.
RNA’s 2023 Paddock to Palate Competition, a prestigious supply chain contest, offers almost $55,000 in prize money and, this year, attracted 756 head of cattle.
RNA Beef Committee chair Gary Noller said there was both an increase in entries and standards across the competition, with Queensland producers dominating.
“Queensland producers performed really well this year and, I believe, the cattle we have seen were born post the 2018/19 drought and have had better preparation due to the season’s pre-entry to the feedlot,’’ Mr Noller said.
“These post-drought cattle have led to an extremely high standard being entered from Queensland and we have seen the overall competition entry numbers rise from 751 last year to 875 cattle this year.
“It’s the data and being able to benchmark against their peers in the industry that keeps the exhibitors coming back.“
Mr Noller said the 100 day Paddock to Palate Competition winners would “exclusively“ go to the JBS Royal 100 Brand, while the 70 day winning cattle would form part of the JBS Queenslander brand.
“There are 50 retail outlets and 18 wholesalers from the Sunshine Coast to Weipa, to Mt Isa, out to Cunnamulla and back to the coast that will sell this award-winning beef this year,” he said.
“It’s amazing exposure for a brand and the product is so hotly sought after that JBS have trouble keeping up with demand.“
The Paddock to Palate Competition now moves into the second phase, which is carcass judging.
Competition classes 37, 38 and 40 are three-phased, comprising best aggregate weight gain, carcass and MSA eating quality, while the Wagyu Challenge is four-phased, finishing in a beef taste off judged by some of Queensland’s top chefs.
Exhibitors who poll the highest aggregate scores across all phases of the four classes will be presented with overall prizes at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Thursday 10 August.
RESULTS
Class 37A – Rabobank Best Weight Gain for Pen of 6, 100 Day Grain-Fed Steers:
1st – Juandah Grazing – Charolais X – ADG 3.057kg – Guluguba QLD
2nd – Palgrove Pastoral Company – Charolais X – ADG 2.895kg – Bukkulla NSW
3rd – Palgrove Pastoral Company – Charolais X – ADG 2.85kg – Bukkulla NSW
Class 37A – Rabobank Highest Individual Weight Gain
1st – Juandah Grazing – Charolais X – ADG 3.33kg – Guluguba QLD
Class 38A – Elanco Animal Health Best Weight Gain for Pen of 6, 70 Day Grain-Fed Steers
1st – Devon Court Herefords – Hereford – ADG 3.121kg – Drillham QLD
2nd – Russell Pastoral Operations Pty Ltd – Angus X – ADG 3.029kg – Blackall QLD
3rd – Aurelian Pastoral Company – Angus X Ultrablack – ADG 2.955kg – Warwick QLD
Class 38A – Elanco Animal Health Highest Individual Weight Gain
1st – Devon Court Herefords – Hereford – ADG 3.5kg – Drillham QLD
Class 39A (Wagyu Challenge) – Smithfield Cattle Co Best Weight Gain for Pen of 6 Grain-Fed Wagyu Steers
1st – Hewitt Pastoral Enterprises – Wagyu Brahman cross – ADG 1.294 kg – Taroom QLD
2nd – Shima Wagyu – F1 Angus / Wagyu – ADG 1.266 kg – Bundarra NSW
3rd – McIntyre Agriculture – Wagyu Angus cross – ADG 1.260 kg – St George QLD
Class 39A (Wagyu Challenge) – Smithfield Cattle Co Highest Individual Weight Gain
1st – Shima Wagyu – F1 Shorthorn / Wagyu – ADG 1.516 kg – Culcairn NSW
Class 40A – Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six HGP Free Steers
1st – Palgrove Pastoral Company – Charolais X – ADG 2.445kg – Bukkulla NSW
2nd (tie) – Palgrove Pastoral Co – Charolais X – ADG 2.385kg – Bukkulla NSW
2nd (tie) – Jabinda Pastoral – Santa Charolais Angus – ADG 2.385kg – Tambo QLD
Class 40A – Highest Individual Weight Gain
1st – Palgrove Pastoral Company – Charolais X – ADG 2.87kg – Bukkulla NSW.
