Entries open for 2020 Paddock to Palate competition

Competitors have the chance to cash in on almost $65,000 in prize money as part of the annual competition presented by JBS Australia.

The competition is not only the richest of its kind in terms of prize money, but also provides an important opportunity for producers to benchmark their cattle, with entries remaining strong last year in spite of a tough season.

RNA beef committee chairman Gary Noller said it was essential the RNA kept the competition running, despite the dry weather conditions.

"Nothing stops in a grazier's world, so when times are tough they have to push even harder with the promotion of their bulls," he said.

"Our competition provides a platform for producers to prove their commercial relevance, which helps with promotion, and because of the benefits we're encouraging them to enter."

The competition will again feature a 100 day Hormone Growth Promotant free export class, after attracting more than 200 cattle in its first year in 2019.

"We would expect to see even more entries in this class in 2020 due to the market increasing through China for HGP free beef - it is now a major part of Australia's export," Mr Noller said.

The competition is made up of three phases comprising best aggregate weight gain over 100 days for export and 70 days for trade, a carcase competition and an MSA eating quality competition.

For the very first time, the weight gain phase will be held at the JBS Beef City Feedlot west of Toowoomba.

The exhibitors who poll the highest aggregate score in each class across all three phases will be awarded the overall prizes at a dinner presentation during the Royal Queensland Show.

Entries close Friday, January 17, 2020 with numbers to be capped.

Meanwhile entries will open in January for the associated Wagyu Challenge, with cattle to be inducted into Smithfield Cattle Co's Sapphire feedlot at Yelarbon.

A field day will be held as part of Paddock to Palate at Beef City and Jondaryan Woolshed on June 23, 2020.