THE grass-fed section of the Callide Dawson Beef Carcase Competition attracted 269 entries on the back of a vastly-improved season in most areas compared to recent years.
Based on the competition's comprehensive points scoring system, the top grass-fed entry was the champion grass-fed heifer carcase - produced from a black Limousin by the Taylor family, MK Cattle, Murgon.
The outstanding 266kg carcase was the 0-2 teeth class winner and had 13mm of fat at the P8 site, 8mm of fat at the rib, a fat distribution score of 7, and a 90sq cm EMA.
The carcase also won the 180-300kg export class with an impressive 147.45 points - 2.71 points ahead of the top steer entry.
"We only run about 35 cattle in our stud operation, so it is a very pleasing outcome," Michael Taylor said.
"It also says a lot about what black Limousins can achieve."
The 293.2kg reserve champion grass-fed heifer carcase came from a Santa/Brahman-cross exhibited by Ross and Jodie McCamley, Lancefield, Dululu.
That carcase had 13mm of fat at the P8, 8mm at the rib and a 90sq cm EMA.
The carcase also won the 230-420kg export class.
The champion grass-fed steer carcase was from a Santa-cross entered by the Chapman family, Rowanlea Cattle Company, Calliope.
The 309.6kg carcase had a 94 square centimetre eye muscle area.
"It's always good to know how your cattle are doing and to be able to compare the results in a major competition like this," Andrew Chapman said.
"The result gives us plenty of confidence in our cattle and keeps us thinking about how to continually improve."
Reserve champion grass-fed steer carcase was an Angus/Charbray-cross from Chas and Judy Nobbs, Cordelia, Bauhinia Downs. That carcase placed second to the top heifer carcase, just 0.76 points behind.
Queensland Country Life is a long term partner and sponsor of the Callide Dawson Beef Carcase Competition held in Biloela each year.
