King Island’s big bold and beefy Angus take top award

AUSTRALIAN beef producers have the chance to collect valuable data to benchmark their cattle and boost their business in this four-phase RNA paddock to palate JBS Beef City competition, which has attracted near-record numbers in recent years.

“These steers arrived on the mainland one month before the induction date into Queensland Beef City Feedlot on March 1,” Andrew Raff said.

“Their induction weight was 420kg at 13 months and after 100 days on feed averaged 662kg when just over 16 months of age. 

“They were a mix of genetics that stem from within our own herd and from those that we have imported from overseas with little genetic alignment to the current preference for low birth weight, low mature cow weight and high marbling types.

“We have always aimed to keep the traditional maternal and carcase quality attributes that the breed is well known for,  however, we have over these past 59 years aimed to breed animals that have extra growth (weight for age) with high yielding and heavy carcase weights. 

“We aim to produce animals that are expected to eat less feed per day relative to their weight and rate of weight gain,” Mr Raff said.

The prestigious supply chain competition, now in its 27th year, offers nearly $55,000 in prize money, making it Australia’s richest beef competition of its kind. 

RNA Beef Committee chair Gary Noller highlighted the Paddock to Palate Competition’s unique offerings.

“Our competition is recognised as one of the world’s more commercially relevant competitions, with the number of cattle entered and that vast research cohort means it provides robust data to our exhibitors,” Mr Noller said.

“It’s that commercially relevant data and being able to benchmark against their peers in the industry that keeps the exhibitors coming back, along with the rigorous judging and protocols in place to ensure this is truly Australia’s most prestigious beef supply chain competition.”

Mr Noller added: “Profit margins in the beef industry can vary quickly and that can be determined by climatic changes and other changes in the market, but our competition and the data provided can place these exhibitors in a more competitive position.”