Like many events, the Callide Dawson Beef Carcase Competition looked a little different this year.
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But that didn't slow the number of entries or detract from the funds raised for community groups in the Callide and Dawson valleys.
CDBCC president Beau Surawski said the committee was proud that they were still able to successfully create a competitive platform, albeit with a few adjustments.
"On the back of a record drought for the ages, the support we have received from exhibitors and sponsors is worthy of celebrating," he said.
"This year we recorded solid nominations of almost 500 head, with about 300 of these going onto feed at Warnoah Feedlot, and the remaining 200 making up the grass-fed and grain-assisted entries.
"These cattle came from 63 exhibitors, of which 16 are first-time entrants. To keep gaining new entrants and getting further afield, I think it's a great achievement and a testament to what the competition is."
Mr Surawski said the quality of the cattle entered this year had once again been terrific.
"Looking through the placings, first to fifth, but even further through the results, there are some tremendously close classes and placings," he said.
In the likes of Class 3 - trade steer or heifer, there was less than 1.5 points separating first to third, and in Class 6 "there isn't much spread in the whole class entries".
Results
- Grand champion carcase - Tom and Joy Surawski - 153.59 points
- Champion grass-fed steer - MK Cattle - 148.47pts
- Reserve - MK Cattle - 146.94pts
- Champion grass-fed heifer - Craig Taylor - 144.63pts
- Reserve - MK Cattle - 144.11pts
- Champion grain-fed steer - Denise Hartwig - 147.21pts
- Reserve - Ralf and Lorna Goodland - 146.14pts
- Champion grain-fed trade steer - Gyranda - 146.62pts
- Reserve - Denis and Sue Clair - 145.13pts
- Champion grain-fed trade heifer - Tom and Joy Surawski - 153.59pts
- Reserve - Bonnie Maynard - 149.87pts
- Best feedlot gain (steers) - Maynards - 3.58kg/day
- Heifers - Gyranda - 2.71kg/day
Funds raised for community groups
Each year the Callide Dawson carcase comp has donated a percentage of commission from the cattle to community groups.
And over the past 32 years, that has meant $260,000 - including $16,315 from this year - has gone back into the Baralaba, Biloela, Monto, Thoedore, Wowan, Moura and Bauhinia communities.
For Callide Valley Show president Tanya Belousoff, that money is "extremely important", especially in 2020 when their show, like many others, had to be cancelled.
"It's always a bonus to us and it goes into improvements of the grounds and things like that," she said.
"We have a very strong trade cattle and stud cattle section during the show, so we're always improving the yards and facilities and bringing good judges in.
"It is more or less at the discretion of the show society how we spend the money, but you simply get such wonderful support by the graziers who participate in the carcase competition and the society really appreciates it."
The carcase competition also raises funds for CQ Rescue and the Royal Flying Doctor Service in alternating years.
Every year, a heifer is donated by Girlie Goody and goes on feed at Warnoah Feedlot who cover the cost of feed. This year, the heifer raised $1000 and will support the RFDS.
Funds - which are yet to be totalled - from an online charity auction of donated items, will also be contributed to the cause.
