James and Kathryn McUtchen, Dixie, Jandowae, will be back in Brisbane for the Ekka in August just as they have done for the past 26 years.
But this time they will head south with an extra spring in their step after an amazing triumph at the 31st Callide Dawson Beef Carcase Competition on July 5.
The McUtchen's entry No 1118 was named Grand Champion Carcase, amassing 169.85 points.
Their entry was also named best in Class 11 for Grain Assisted Steer/Heifer finishing ahead of R and A Worley (No 1148, 153.21pts) and Mike and Kathleen Taylor, MK Cattle (No 1124, 152.77pts).
It was an unexpected but welcome result according to Mr McUtchen, who was happy to break a drought of sorts in the CDBCC.
"The night has gone far better than we could have ever expected," he said.
"It's been 10 years since we first won up here and we're glad to be back and it's hard to believe. It's a nice reward.
"This gives us a real sense of satisfaction. We do these competitions every year, whether it's here or the Brisbane show and it's always just to see how our cattle compare with those of other people.
"I like to benchmark our cattle against the others to see how we can refine things and improve. This carcase was a South Devon cross Brahman steer. We have a small South Devon and Belgian Blue stud so we use our European bulls over British cross cows and vice versa, British bulls over European cross cows."
Mr McUtchen admitted his paddocks had seen better days with less than 300mm of annual rain for the past three years.
He said the opportunity to put his entry into the Warnoah Feedlot had been influential.
"Where we are at Jandowae it's been pretty ordinary for the past few years but this fellow had been on the grain bin for 100 days so he looked the goods," he said.
"The others of ours at would be a bit ordinary in comparison because they're light on."
The McUtchens will again concentrate on the led steers and stud cattle classes at the Ekka.