The supreme quality of Queensland beef was celebrated at the 2019 RNA Paddock to Palate Competition presentation dinner at the Royal Queensland Show on Wednesday.
The competition continues to go from strength to strength despite the ongoing drought gripping much of Queensland, with numbers up almost 25 per cent this year.
RNA beef cattle committee chairman Gary Noller said there had been almost 1000 entries, including 26 pens of seven in the Wagyu Challenge.
"The quality of the competition has been unbelievable, considering the dry we have been facing," Mr Noller said.
"We expected numbers might be down, instead they increased from last year to this year by about 25 per cent.
"We are very thankful we have people in this industry who are so supportive of the competition."
David Bondfield, Palgrove Pastoral Company, came out on top in the 100 day export class, winning the Class 37 Sturrock Trophy for the second year running with their pen of Charolais steers which scored 742.2. The Bondfield's also took out second place in the category with another pen scoring 740.28, while Russell Pastoral Company came third with 731.96.
James Millner of Rosedale Livestock, was proud to accept the top gong for the 70 day trade class, taking out the Class 38 Ken Crotty Trophy with his pen of Charolais/Red Angus with 715.68 points. The McNicholl Family Trust came second on 706.04 points, while Godfrey Morgan came third with 699.33 points.
Claiming the Wagyu Challenge with 76.72 points were Richard and Dyan, Wentworth Cattle Company, Clermont, Qld, for a pen of F2 Wagyu. The Hughes also claimed the top award in the Wagyu Challenge beef taste off category for a carcase with a marbling score of 9, that had an average daily gain of 0.94kg during the competition.
Taking out the brand new 120 day export HGP free category and the Arthur and Kath Bassingthwaighte Trophy were the Morgan family, The Grove Shorthorns, Condamine, Qld, with 698.38 points. The Morgans also took out the reserve champion spot as well as the accolade for the class' pen of six carcase competition, placing second for eating quality and third for best weight gain for a pen of six grain-fed steers.
Diners at the presentation dinner got the chance to put their mouths where the money was, trying beef produced during the competition, presented in dishes ranging from Wagyu tataki to a classic steak.
Those not at the dinner will still have a chance to sample choice cuts from the competition, with JBS Australia again producing their special limited edition branded beef Royal 100, featuring 100 days grain fed beef produced during the competition into selected venues.
