Despite the ongoing health restrictions, the 2020 Central Queensland Carcase Classic competition rose above and beyond for their local community, raising an eye-watering $17,505.60 for rural schools and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Carcase Classic president Carlie Ward said after a tough year, it was good to see the sponsors and competitors support them for such an important community event.
"That amount of money coming in is significant and our beneficiaries are those little rural schools that traditionally are not on people's fundraising radar," Ms Ward said.
"We are pleased in 2020 to also be supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service."
After thirteen successful competitions, Central Queensland Carcase Classic has donated $162,401.64 to Capricornia School of Distance Education; Clarke Creek, Dingo, Mackenzie River and Marlborough P&C Associations; ICPA Capricornia Branch of the Air; Rockhampton Junior Beef Show; as well as Marlborough and Ridgelands Show societies and Epilepsy Qld.
Overall, the competition saw 44 competitors enter a total of 464 steers and heifers with the pandemic having little effect on this year's event. But after a terrible drought and flood season last year, the committee did see a difference in the condition of the beasts.
"All were a bit lighter and I know all the class 10 steers were lighter and you would expect that coming off the back of a terrible year," Ms Ward said.
"But they still fed really well and performed really well at the other end."
Due to the recent COVID-19 developments in south east Queensland, the CQCC committee made the tough decision to cancel the presentation dinner, which they said was a great opportunity for competitors and sponsors to be acknowledged for their continued support.
"We sincerely thank our competitors and valued sponsors for their ongoing contribution, especially during this tough year and we hope to make next year's competition even better," Ms Ward said.
CQCC treasurer Trudy Mace was also optimistic for the future and hopes to grow the competition.
"To get further entries from further afield, I would like to see that," Ms Mace said.
"You don't need people entering a hundred head, but if they're entering 10 or 15 of their best ones, that makes for a good competition."
Results:
- Grand champion carcase: RA & JL Sherry Trust - 160.55 points
- Most successful exhibitor: Tayglen Pastoral Co
- Champion grass-fed carcase: Boombah Cattle Co - 150.02 points
- Reserve: Tayglen Pastoral Co - 147.26 points
- Champion grain-fed carcase: RA & JL Sherry Trust - 160.55 points
- Reserve: Tayglen Pastoral Co - 157.96 points
- Champion grass-fed pen: Boombah Cattle Co - 433.43 points
- Reserve: Tayglen Pastoral Co - 423.99 points
- Champion grain-fed pen: Apis Creek Pastoral Co - 460.52 points
- Reserve: Apis Creek Pastoral Co - 451.15 points
- Champion feed-on steer: LA & BM Geddes - 202.33 points
- Largest eye muscle: Boombah Cattle Co - 124sq cm
- Highest lean meat: RV & GA Lisle - 64.62 per cent
- Most even pen: LA & BM Geddes - 1.0kg
- Highest MSA index: Apis Creek Pastoral Co - 65.91
- Highest individual weight gain: Namgooyah Grazing Co - 3.11kg
