THE Callide Dawson Beef Carcase Competition attracted a total of 407 entries representing 239 grassfed and 168 grainfed steers and heifers at its 27th annual event.
And while the competition was down by 86 entries on last year's record 493 entries, the lesser numbers were mainly attributed to the better seasonal conditions across the central Queensland region.
The competition opened earlier this year when the grainfed component was inducted into the Hutchinson family's Warnoah Feedlot, Theodore, on February 12.
Steers were fed for 100 days, while heifers were fed for 70 days in the grainfed section.
All cattle were processed at Teys Australia's Biloela processing plant which has thrown its weight behind the event since inception.
Company executive director for livestock Geoff Teys says the Callide Dawson Carcase competition is one competition they are proud to be a part of.
"We not only appreciate being involved for the past 27 years but it is also a wonderful idea the way this committee supports charities in the district," Mr Teys said.
"We all should be enthusiastic about carcase competitions as they are the future and it is where we should be going as they provide so much valuable information about your breeding direction."
However it was a Senepol-cross grainfed heifer nominated by regular exhibitors Geoff and Alison Maynard, Mt Eugene, Jambin, that claimed the grand champion carcase.
Over the years the Maynards have regularly featured in the presentation line-up as well as throwing their support behind the event as sponsors.
And during the presentation dinner the Maynard family collected a swag of awards, and were named the most successful exhibitor.
The grand champion carcase had earlier claimed the champion grainfed heifer award while another Senepol-cross steer was named champion grainfed steer.
In the best liveweight heifer gain in the feedlot component, daughter Bonnie Maynard's entry was awarded first place, while her parent's entries tied for second place.
Taking both reserve champion grainfed steer, and heifer awards with Bazadais entries were Keith and Bev Lacey, Grenada, Capella.
The best liveweight gain in the steer section was awarded to Peter Mahony and family, Gyranda, Theodore, while equal second placegetters were the Australian Agricultural College, Emerald, and Denis and Sue Clair, Glen Erin, Goovigen.
Les and Anne Marshall, Greenfields, Jambin, claimed both the champion and reserve champion grassfed steer carcases with their generational-bred Charbray entries.
Reserve champion grassfed heifer was also a Charbray entry nominated by Chas and Judy Nobbs, Cordelia, Moura.
The reserve champion grassfed heifer award was claimed by Eddie Wales, The Cedars, Biloela, with a Bazadais entry.
John Howard, Burleigh Estates, Biloela, was awarded the most suitable HGP-free MSA carcase, with a Santa Gertrudis-cross steer exhibited in grassfed section.
The encouragement award was presented to Murray and Loretta Smith, Palmgrove, Bauhina Downs.
In the senior live assessment competition Keith Semple, Mandu, Biloela, was placed first while tying for second was a three-way split between Beau Surawaski, formerly of Teys Australia, Mike Bradshaw, Banana, and Loretta Smith, Palmgrove, Bauhinia.
In the junior live assessment taking first place was Luke Aisthorpe, Monto, with Dustin Bradshaw, Banana in second place, Clair Goody, Monto, third and Lachlan Collins, Moura, fourth, while the winning school was the Monto High School.
The Callide Dawson Carcase competition this year raised in excess of $1200 which is earmarked to be donated to the CQ Helicopter Rescue Service.
