Some of the state's best beef producers have been recognised for their excellence at the 2019 Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Excellence in Eating Quality Awards (Qld) in Biloela on Tuesday night.
Awards were presented for Most Outstanding MSA Feedlot and two awards for Most Outstanding MSA Beef Producers, to recognise producers of both large and small (non-feedlot) MSA consignment volumes.
One producer was also recognised with the MSA Excellence in Eating Quality Progress Award for showing the greatest improvement in their MSA results since the last awards series in 2017.
It was an exciting evening for Kaylene Wonka, Blue Poles, Chinchilla, who took home the Most Outstanding Beef Producer (non-feedlot) award for a second time in a row.
Kerwee Feedlot, Jondaryan, was awarded Most Outstanding Feedlot, Brownleigh Pastoral Company, Goondiwindi, took home the other Most Outstanding Beef Producer award, and RMI Goondiwindi claimed the Excellence in Eating Quality Progress Award.
MLA general manager of producer consultation and adoption Michael Crowley said the awards were designed to recognise excellence.
"We do like to reward producers who do go above and beyond," Mr Crowley said in presenting the awards.
"This is the third time we've run it; we like to have two years of data going into the analysis, so it is over two financial years.
"We have 12,000 producers supplying MSA cattle each year so there's 24,000 potential suppliers within the awards."
Mr Crowley said to be even eligible for the awards, a producer had to supply at least the state average or above over two years for that particular feed type, have at least the average compliance rate and consign cattle at least once a year across those two years.
"That's even just to be eligible to go into the mix. Then it's all done on data," he said.
Over the next month, some of Australia's top beef producers will be recognised for their hard work, dedication and quality produce as Meat and Livestock Australia rolls out its MSA Eating Quality Awards in every state.
As part of each event, a producer forum featuring an informative talk on what makes the perfect MSA index, along with plenty more updates on consumer insights and the latest research and development in the MSA area will be held.
The next event will be held in Wagga Wagga, NSW, on Thursday.
