The on-going drought has provided many challenges for the Palgrove Pastoral Co, Dalveen, over the past couple of years and selecting a suitable line of steers for this year's RNA Paddock to Palate is also on the list.
Palgrove Pastoral Co's CEO David Bondfield said due to selling off many weaners throughout last year, it was a real struggle as they had so few steers to select from.
"In the end we did manage to select a suitable mix of purebred Charolais and some Charolais/Angus-cross steers aged 16 months," Mr Bondfield said.
Over the years, Palgrove has been very competitive in the competition and has won the team weight gain component a number of times.
Last year, Palgrove Pastoral Co won the overall pen of six in Class 37, and this year secured the highest individual weight gain award after one of their Charolais/Angus-cross recorded an ADG of 3.27kg.
"To win the individual average daily weight gain of 3.27kg over 100 days was quite extraordinary," he said.
"To win any award is always a thrill, but this one goes one better as it is a great thrill.
"We have to give full credit to the RNA beef cattle committee and Beef City Feedlot for sticking with this competition under trying times.
"This competition provides another invaluable benchmarking opportunity for us and confirms the ability of our genetics to produce high-performing commercial cattle."
Palgrove's business development and genetics manager Ben Noller said the entire Charolais/Angus-cross pen of steers were out of first-calf, two-year-old heifers.
"These steers were born in a tough season and it is rewarding to see the strength and depth of our genetics carry this steer into first place," Mr Noller said.
He said prior to their season breaking at the start of the year, they were supplementary feeding all of their herd apart from those on agistment properties.
"This win is testament to our staff who worked tirelessly during these tough periods to maintain our stud cattle numbers."