Sally Gall

While Queensland experienced a better wet season than it has in years, the patchy nature of the summer rain means that Queensland's official drought status has barely changed.

Hughenden's Drew and Sally Stevenson are the proud new owners of three-year-old black mare Hunter View Rhyme, purchased for $27,000 from Warwick and Fiona Lawrence of Rosebrook in the Hunter Valley, NSW.

Queensland may have the lowest sheep flock of any of the Australian states - the AWI estimates 1.9 million, of all breeds, as opposed the the 22.9m in NSW - but the state is punching above its weight in the top-level representation stakes.

One of Queensland's smaller Santa Gertrudis studs, BYAC has had the biggest win of its life, taking out the breed's grand champion bull award in centre ring at Beef Australia on Wednesday.

NSW stud Royalla takes out Beef 2021 Shorthorn grand championships in both bull and female grand championships.

"Make sure you come along hungry" - that's Beef Australia executive chef Shane Bailey's recommendation to those snapping up tickets to the Celebrity Chef Restaurant.

Finalists from as far apart as the Adelaide Hills and Jundah will be pitching their innovative agtech concepts before a global audience when they take to the stage at Beef Australia.

The five vendors selling at the postponed Charleville Dorper and White Dorper sale, Qld, on Tuesday left with big smiles after buoyant prices were paid and all lots were cleared.

North west Queensland's broadacre cropping industry is forging ahead, thanks to a swathe of plantings of cotton and cereal crops in the Julia Creek region.

Gap years have become a thing of the past for most teenagers now that exotic overseas locations have been closed off but Sam Hughes from Maleny is on the adventure of a lifetime.