Wowan breeders Brad and Nicole Saunders dominated the major awards list at the annual Brangus Steer Carcase Competition Wine and Dine Awards evening at Brisbane's Bracken Ridge Tavern last week.
Now in its forth year, the 2019 competition saw a record field of 205 head entered from 12 addresses.
Fed at Waterfall Feedlot, Tansey and processed through Nolan Meats, Gympie the geographical spread of the steer entrants was from Capella across to Marlborough and south to Beaudesert and all areas in between, featuring both red and black genotypes.
The competition was again open to accommodate both purebred Brangus and Brangus composites.
This year's contestants included Mark and Katrina Brown, Lancen Creek, Wowan, Ron and Narelle Hanson, Bindaree, Murgon together with Brad and Vicki Hanson, Bullakeana, Moura; Greg and Alicia Magee, St Omer, Capella and the Edward and Kara Quinn and family, Voewood, Calliope. Brad and Nicole Saunders, Thendara, Wowan again supported the concept along with the Dickins family, Nulambie, Theodore and Tim and Rebekah Dwyer, Burrumbush, Goovigen. First time competitors this year included Ian and Sue Harrison, Ladybrook, Darlington; Tweed and Anderson, Allendale, Theodore; Russell and Trish McIntosh, Jagera, Goomeri; Marlborough based, Coorumburra Rural Enterprises and Brenten and Virginia Lowe, Waverley, Mundubbera.
The entire competition is a 100 day feed, HGP free, trade steer exercise involving teams of seven steers with the best six carcasses being judged and assessed.
This year's steers entered the competition with an average entry weight of 362.34kg liveweight and finished the competition with an exit average weight of 544.01kg curfew weight. There was an average gain over the competition period of 181.67kg and an overall average daily gain of 1.84kg/day.
Brad and Nicole Saunders took with them the highest MSA group (Brangus), the highest MSA group (Brangus Cross), the highest IMF Brangus, the highest IMF Brangus cross, the highest EMA for the Brangus and Brangus cross categories and the highest weight gain for both Brangus and Brangus cross sections. The Saunders family took out the champion all rounder, champion Jap carcase (Brangus and Brangus cross) culminating in the most successful exhibitor title.
Securing wins for the highest EMA (Brangus Cross), reserve champion trade carcase, reserve champion Jap carcase (Brangus Cross) and the champion pen carcases (Brangus Cross) were Mark and Katrina Brown. The highest weight gain (Brangus) award went to Boomfield Grazing while Capella breeders Greg and Alicia Magee claimed the highest weight gain (Brangus Cross) and the reserve champion pen carcases (Brangus cross).
Ron and Narelle Hanson took out the champion trade carcase (Brangus) and the champion trade carcase (Brangus Cross).
The reserve champion trade carcase (Brangus cross) was won by Tweed and Anderson while the champion pen carcases (Brangus) went to Edward and Kara Quinn. David Howard, representing Coorumburra Rural Enterprises, Marlborough took home the reserve champion pen carcases (Brangus).
It's hoped that the 2020 competition will include a heifer class and further data collection using DNA and genomic testing and recording techniques.
