FOR the second year in a row, Brangus took the main prize at the Central Queensland Carcase Classic, but the Droughtmasters were not far behind, with Brahmans also nosing in.
The competition, which is in its eighth year, saw the grand champion carcase award go to a very surprised Greg and Alicia Magee, St Omer, Capella, and their Brangus steers.
"Because we are only a small place, we know all the genetics that come from each carcase," said Mr Magee, who runs Angus and Brangus on just under 1000 hectares.
He and his wife walked away with three other prizes: The champion grassfed carcase, single trade steer or heifer class and led steer hook class with their Brangus steers.
The most successful exhibitor and the champion grainfed pen awards went to Droughtmaster-Angus cross heifers from Duaringa Station.
Livestock manager Mark Howard collected an armful of awards, with first and third place for grainfed single trade steer or heifer, and reserve champion grainfed carcase.
First-time entrants THF Agribusiness, under the management of Brett Coombes, won the champion grassfed pen award with Brahman-cross steers bred at Mongowie, Baralaba.
The company also took first and third place for pen of three steers or heifers.
"It was good to win considering it was a last-minute decision to put them in," Mr Coombes said.
Champion grainfed carcase was awarded to Stuart and Brenda Chapman, but John Atkinson collected the award on their behalf from event president Richard Brosnan. Click on the image to view a gallery of photos from the event.
The grainfed champion carcase, a Droughtmaster steer, came from Stuart and Brenda Chapman, Lowville, Marlborough.
They were also in first place for grainfed single steer or heifer and third place for the grainfed pen of three steers or heifers.
The couple was unable to attend the awards, so Mrs Chapman's father - one of founders of the CQ Carcase Classic, John Atkinson - collected the award on their behalf.
Mr Atkinson also had a successful night with his Droughtmaster steers, collecting awards for reserve champion grainfed pen and the largest eye muscle at 105 square centimetres.
He also notched up first places for grainfed single steer or heifer, grainfed pen of three steers or heifers, and grainfed single trade steer or heifer.
President Richard has happy smile
CQ Carcase Classic committee president Richard Brosnan was happy with the event, which saw 330 entries - similar to the total last year.
"We feel this year was very successful in light of it being a Beef Australia year and the seasonal factors," he said.
"Beef Australia draws a lot of sponsors' promotional funds, so we are very appreciative of the continual support we receive and it shows their active involvement in the industry.
"We really want to thank them as they were stretched across this year."
This year the competition introduced a new computerised scoring system that will enable the competition to progress within the industry, Mr Brosnan said.
"We also made a change to the scoring, and introduced MSA grading with these changes reflective of the commercial market; this will help us move upwards.
"The sisters of the steers in this competition are the ones you want to keep as your breeders."
He thanked Fiona Noakes, Annette Wendt, Bridget Newman and Trudy Mace, for their hard and tireless work to make the night happen.
MSA 'wonderful tool' says Geoff Teys
The quality of the beef was evident on the night, as the beef served for the dinner was pasturefed certified (PCAS) from one of the entrants of this year's competition. Geoff Teys, Teys Australia, informed guests of this during his address.
"We are learning more and more about the physiology of beef," he said.
"MSA has been a wonderful tool for us where we can pay more for PCAS."
Mr Teys said he was optimistic about the future, although there was heavy competition from poultry and pork, but there were new and emerging markets such as China. "Certainly the market is looking really good and we are pleased to be associated with it. We just need rain."
'Beef capital' wins support from SBB boss
Savage, Barker and Backhouse's Rockhampton branch manager, Damien Freney, has supported the awards since they began.
The growth of the led steer competition was nothing but good, and it was pleasing to see the CQ Carcase Competition was resurrecting some of the old trophies that were taking the Rockhampton Show back to its roots, he said.
"We are the beef capital of Australia, and while there is strong competition in the north and south, it makes sense to have a competition in Rockhampton.
"And really, companies like SBB and industry people have an obligation to support the industry and we find this a really good way to do that as the funds raised goes back into local community."
This year, the competition raised almost $10,000 that was distributed to schools and show committees.
