Weight gain winners announced at Grassdale Feedlot

Atkinson Pastoral Company from Hughenden and Gyranda Pastoral Company from Theodore won Class 37 and Class 38 respectively while Stanbroke Beef from Gatton claimed the inaugural Class 39 Wagyu Challenge, to share in some of the almost $60,000 prize pool.

With a total of almost 800 head of prime beef cattle entered in Paddock to Palate, Atkinson Pastoral Company’s pen of six Angus Droughtmaster cross steers won the 100 day Class 37 with an average daily gain (ADG) of 3.117kg.

Represented by Rob and Donna Atkinson, son John and Bec and daughter and son-in-law Amy and Guy Slack-Smith, the Atkinson Pastoral also claimed second place with another one of their pens recording an ADG of 3.026kg.

Gyranda Pastoral Company from Theodore steaked its claim in the 70 day Class 38, with their pen of Santa Gertrudis cross steers tipping the scales with an ADG of 3.07kg.

David Bassingthwaighte and family didn’t go home empty handed, winning Class 37’s highest individual weight gain for the second year in a row with one of their Santa Gertrudis which had an ADG of 3.62kg, while Atkinson Pastoral Company raked in another award, winning the highest individual weight gain for Class 38 with its Angus Droughtmaster X which had an ADG of 3.94kg.

Meanwhile in the 330 day 2016/17 Paddock to Palate Wagyu Challenge, Stanbroke Beef from Gatton became the very first winner of Class 39, sharing in the $10,000 prize pool, with their pen of six F1 Wagyu cattle recording an ADG of 1.370kg.

They also took out Class 39’s highest individual weight gain award with one of their F1 Wagyu weighing in with an ADG of 1.547kg.

RNA Beef Cattle Committee Chairman Gary Noller said the Paddock to Palate Competition had been bringing together the nation’s top cattle producers for 20 years now.

“The high quality of genetics entered into the competition this year presented average daily gains higher than normal feedlot conditions, so we’re pleased with the results,” he said. 

“While the Wagyu Challenge is the only breed specific competition we run - Wagyu is so unique with its characteristics for marbling that we’ve been able to create a whole competition for it.”

Both the Paddock to Palate Competition and Wagyu Challenge now move on from weight gain into the second phase - a carcass competition.

The Paddock to Palate Competition is the nation’s richest beef competition of its kind with $46,000 in prize money on offer. It’s a three phased competition comprising best aggregate weight gain over 100 days (70 days for trade); a carcass competition and an MSA eating quality competition.

While the 2016/17 Paddock to Palate Wagyu Challenge, which features almost 100 head of cattle, is four phased comprising best aggregate weight gain; a carcass competition; carcass value and finishing in a beef taste off. The cattle that are part of the 2017/18 Wagyu Challenge are also currently in the feedlot. 

The exhibitors who poll the highest aggregate score across all categories in both competitions are then awarded the overall prize, to be announced on the first day of the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) at a special Awards Presentation Breakfast.

Proud sponsors for the 2017 competition include Mort & Co; JBS Australia; Zoetis; Elanco Animal Health; Rabobank; Grant Daniel & Long; Virbac; Performance Feeds Pty Ltd; Thompson Longhorn; Super Butcher; Queensland Country Life; Black Truck Sales; Zee Tags and the Australian Wagyu Association.

Class 37 - Rabobank Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six Grain-Fed Steers (100 Day)

Class 37 - Black Truck Sales Highest Individual Weight Gain

Class 38 - Elanco Animal Health Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six Grain-Fed Steers (70 Day)

Class 38 - Elanco Animal Health Highest Individual Weight Gain

Class 39 (Wagyu Challenge) - Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six Grain-Fed Wagyu Steers

Class 39 (Wagyu Challenge) - Performance Feeds Highest Individual Weight Gain