Australian beef producers have the chance to validate their cattle breeding objectives and cash in on almost $55,000 in prize money, with entries now open for the RNA's 2022 Paddock to Palate Competition and 2023 Wagyu Challenge.
The competition is not only the nation's richest beef supply chain competition, but also provides cutting edge data collection technology for producers to benchmark their cattle.
RNA beef committee chair Gary Noller said the Paddock to Palate Competition was now in its 25th year and was one of the world's more commercially relevant beef cattle competitions.
"Since the Paddock to Palate Competition is three phase it offers a holistic approach to data collection,'' Mr Noller said.
"This is further enhanced by the carcase imaging technology the RNA now uses when judging entries. This data validation benefit is of great interest to beef producers, particularly when cattle prices are at record highs.''
Mr Noller said the competition provides a platform for producers to prove their commercial relevance which helps with their product promotion.
"Evidence of the popularity of the Paddock to Palate competition is the fact we attracted three new entries in our 2020 event - major operators who felt they needed to be a part of this prestigious contest," he said.
The Paddock to Palate competition will again feature a 100-day Hormone Growth Promotant (HGP) Free Export Class.
The competition is made up of best aggregate weight gain over 100 days for export and 70 days for trade; a carcase competition; and an MSA eating quality competition.
The weight gain phase will be held at the JBS Beef City Feedlot west of Toowoomba, following its successful debut there in 2019.
The exhibitor who polls the highest aggregate score across all three phases will be awarded the overall prize at the Paddock to Palate Beef Awards Dinner.
The Paddock to Palate Wagyu Challenge is four phased finishing in a beef taste off in 2023 and is open to Wagyu and Wagyu-cross cattle (minimum 50 per cent Wagyu blood).
Numbers will be capped, so producers are encouraged to get in early with entries closing January 21, 2022.
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