The disruption caused by COVID-19 in 2020 has provided many carcase competitions the opportunity to rethink their formats and come back bigger and better in 2021.
For the Central Queensland Carcase Classic, this year marks a change in their scoring system in an effort to remain industry relevant.
Committee president Carlie Ward said they are looking forward to a smoother year in 2021, with nominations now open for the annual carcase competition.
"Both logistically and seasonally, we are again hoping for enthusiastic support from producers," she said.
"After nominations last year reached 426 in one of the driest years on record, and raised close to $18,000 for its beneficiaries, we are confident that producers will be just as keen to lend their support to the competition again this year.
"This competition provides an unique opportunity for producers to not only give back to the small communities that support and sustain them, but in doing so also allows them to benchmark the genetic gains in both carcase and production traits they strive so hard to achieve, against the best in the region."
Ms Ward said the committee was constantly striving to ensure the competition reflects industry best practice.
"That is, to produce a high-end carcase, but not at the expense of other production traits that allow you to repeat it year after year," she said.
To this end, the committee has made some changes to the competition's scoring system.
"We have increased the number of points allocated for the MSA grading, and removed fat distribution and meat texture," Ms Ward said.
"This has removed the human subjectivity from the judging, which in turn has allowed us to hopefully move to a system for next year's competition that will allow us to receive entries over a five month period.
"This is exciting news that allows competitors to generate the best product they can and have it processed at a time that best suits the animal."
Ms Ward said the committee believes the change will create another level of interest in their competition, "which in turn allows us to continue to improve our support to our beneficiaries".
This year, the competition has an additional kill date, May 13, for Beef 2021 steers.
