Australian beef producers will have the chance to ‘steak’ their claim on almost $60,000 in prize money, with entries opening today (Thursday) for the RNA’s Paddock to Palate Competition presented by Mort & Co.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, the Paddock to Palate Competition is tipping the scales with $46,000 in prize money, making it the nation’s richest beef competition of its kind.
Producers also have a chance to cash in with the 2017/18 Paddock to Palate Wagyu Challenge which offers $10,000 in prize money.
The 330 day Wagyu competition, which was launched in March, is nearing the halfway mark after attracting 16 entries in its first year, with the winners to be crowned at an awards presentation breakfast at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) on Friday 11 August, 2017.
The Paddock to Palate Competition, which will also crown its winners at the breakfast, saw almost 800 head of cattle entered this year, with Riverglen Pastoral Company taking out Class 37 and RB & KK Lamoureux winning Class 38.
The three phased competition comprises best aggregate weight gain over 100 days (70 days for trade); a carcass competition and an MSA eating quality competition, with the exhibitor who polls the highest aggregate score across the three categories awarded the overall prize.
Entries into the Paddock to Palate Competition must be in by Friday 3 February, 2017, but with the competition capped at 777 head of cattle for Class 37 and 518 head of cattle for Class 38, beef producers are encouraged to get in early.
The Paddock to Palate Wagyu Challenge is also calling for entries into its 2017/18 competition, which will be held across 370 days, commencing in June next year.
The four phased competition comprises best aggregate weight gain; a carcass competition; carcass value and finishing in a beef taste off – a palate competition where a portion of striploin is cooked and judged.
Entries are open to Wagyu and Wagyu-cross cattle (minimum 50 per cent Wagyu blood) and nominations will be capped at 259 animals (37 pens), with exhibitors able to enter three pens each comprising seven steers, with the best six judged.
Entries close Friday 21 April, 2017, with the overall winner crowned at Ekka 2018.
RNA Beef Cattle Committee Chairman Gary Noller is encouraging beef and Wagyu producers to get their entries in well before the closing dates, to avoid missing out.
“The competitions allow some of the nation’s top beef and Wagyu producers to showcase their high quality stock and promote their product to the consumer, so they are well worth entering,” Mr Noller said.
“The RNA is a very proud champion of the Australian beef industry and our Paddock to Palate Competition and Wagyu Challenge set a benchmark for the industry, while also acknowledging the efforts of hard working primary producers.
“The competitions are regarded as the most comprehensive beef supply chain competitions in the nation, as they follow the product all the way from the paddock to the consumer,” he said.
The feedlot phase of both the Paddock to Palate Competition and Paddock to Palate Wagyu Challenge will be conducted at Mort & Co’s Grassdale Feedlot in Dalby.
Proud sponsors for the 2017 Paddock to Palate Competition include Mort & Co; JBS Australia; Zoetis; Elanco Animal Health; Rabobank; Grant Daniel & Long; Virbac; Performance Feeds Pty Ltd; Thompson Longhorn; Super Butcher; Queensland Country Life; Black Truck Sales; Zee Tags and the Australian Wagyu Association.