JBS sweeps competition

For the second time in the history of the competition, grass fed has reigned supreme to take the title of not just the nation’s but what the judges believe is the world’s best steak.

Produced by JBS Australia, the Swift Premium JBS striploin won the coveted John Kilroy Cha Cha Char grand champion branded beef of show while Queensland’s Melrose Wholesale Meats, took out the champion branded lamb of show for its Tasmanian Royal branded lamb product.

Judges tasted their way through more than 50 of the finest red meat products on the market, before crowning the best of the best.

Chief Judge Russell Smith said the winning steak could easily be the world’s best.

“The winning striploin ticked all the boxes, it was full of flavour and had a wonderful texture which was surprisingly tender,” he said.

“What we’re seeing in this competition is Australia’s best and probably the world’s best.”

Mr Smith said this year’s Branded Lamb Competition attracted the highest quality Australian products which were exceptional.

“The quality is getting better and better, this year’s highest scoring products exhibited even more flavour than in previous years,’’ he said.

Representing JBS Australia at the award presentation was Denis Conroy and Brad De Luca with both men chuffed with the win.

“This is a great reward for us and we’re here receiving it today but it’s a whole team effort and we couldn’t have achieved this without the solid relationship we have with our producers right down the eastern seaboard,” Mr Conroy said.

“We cleaned up in the grain fed exhibit last year and we’ve come back to take home the grass fed competition.”

Mr De Luca said the market shift toward a grass fed product was mainly due to consumer education on where their meat comes from, with grass fed beef having a distinct flavour.

“Globally, people want to know their beef is raised under optimum conditions and I think here in Australia, we take for granted the fact that our cattle are free to roam,” Mr De Luca said.

“Grass fed beef certainly has a unique flavour and our consumers find we are providing them with a reliability and consistency and they can appreciate those standards.”

Mr De Luca added the win was a great reflection on the relationship JBS has with cattle farmers.

The RQFWS Branded Beef and Branded Lamb Competition is recognised as the nation’s most prestigious and comprehensive competition of its kind.

RQFWS Chief Judge Russell Smith worked alongside seven other beef and lamb judges, including award-winning restaurateurs John Kilroy of Brisbane’s famous Cha Cha Char and David Pugh of Restaurant Two.

The award winning products will also feature at this year’s Royal Queensland Show (Ekka).

Major Award Winners:

Beef Award Winners:

Lend Lease Grain Fed MSA Graded Striploin

Lend Lease Grass Fed MSA Graded Striploin

Wagyu Class – AUSMEAT Marble Score 6+

ANZ Agribusiness Open Class

Lamb Award Winners:

Meat & Livestock Australia Branded Lamb less than 20kg

Branded Lamb more than 20kg