July 2026
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Award honours PAGE 8 legacy P
Future-proofing dairy PAGE 10
Palate for success By Fiona Gowers Regional Queensland producers have made a solid start in the 2026 RNA Paddock to Palate competition, dominating the opening weight gain phase at JBS Australia’s Beef City feedlot near Toowoomba. Top-performing operations included Simon and Myriam Daley of Beilba, Russell Pastoral Operations from Blackall, Kireina Wagyu at Burncluith and LA & DL Henschell from Moola. All delivered standout results across multiple classes. The Daley family, who are commercial breeders, led the charge in the 120-day export categories, winning Class 37 with a pen of Charolaiscross cattle achieving an average daily gain (ADG) of 3.03kg. They also secured first place in the HGP-free Class 40 with an ADG of 2.4kg, alongside a third placing in the same class with 2.24kg. Russell Pastoral Operations also impressed, winning Class 38 (100-day trade) with Anguscross cattle recording an ADG of 2.69kg. The operation also achieved the highest individual weight gain in Class 37 with an ADG of 3.43kg and placed second in the same class with 2.98kg. Meanwhile, in the Wagyu categories, Kireina Wagyu claimed top honours in Class 41 (crossbred Wagyu 380-day), with their composite Wagyu x F1 entry recording an ADG of 1.33kg. They also secured the highest individual weight gain in the class at 1.50kg. LA & DL Henschell won Class 39 (fullblood purebred Wagyu 380-day), with their pen averaging 1.15kg ADG and also achieved the highest individual gain in the class at 1.439kg. This year’s competition has attracted a record 1358 head of cattle, representing a 25 per cent increase on 2025 and underlining the growing importance of the program within the beef industry. RNA Beef Committee Chair Gary Noller said the competition continued to deliver measurable value for producers. “For seedstock producers, it translates to
Major winners at last week’s RNA Paddock to Palate Beef Competition in Toowoomba were Simon and Myriam Daley and Ben Noller (right). (Supplied) higher averages at their bull sales, with standout exhibitors in the competition achieving results above breed averages,” he said. “On the commercial side, producers are using the competition to prove their genetics and confirm they are making the right decisions in their selection of bulls and females at home.” Mr Noller said participation continued to grow as more producers recognised the benefits of benchmarking performance through the competition. “Every year we see new exhibitors take part in the competition, as they recognise that strong results in Paddock to Palate can give them a clear point of difference in the market,” he said. He also acknowledged the significance of this year’s operational milestone. “I would like to sincerely thank our competition presenting partner JBS Australia, who expanded
their support to include the Wagyu classes at Beef City, with all classes now hosted at the feedlot.” Classes 37, 38 and 40 will be judged across three phases, including weight gain, carcase performance and MSA eating quality. The Wagyu Challenge classes (39 and 41) include an additional phase, culminating in a “beef taste-off“ assessed by leading Queensland chefs. With almost $65,000 in prize money offered, overall winners will be announced at the Paddock to Palate Awards Dinner at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Thursday, 6 August, during Ekka Beef Week. A range of industry partners support the competition including JBS Australia, Zoetis, Coopers Animal Health, the Australian Wagyu Association, Queensland Country Life, Zee Tags, Thompson Longhorn, Black Box Co and Thynne and Macartney. RESULTS
Class 37A Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six, 120 Day Grain-Fed Steers 1st - Simon and Myriam Daley, ADG: 3.03kg, Charolais Cross, Beilba QLD 2nd - Russell Pastoral Operations, ADG: 2.98kg, Angus Cross, Blackall QLD 3rd - Hinz Grazing, ADG: 2.96kg, Shorthorn Santa X, Miles QLD Class 37A Highest Individual Weight Gain Russell Pastoral Operations, ADG: 3.43kg, Angus Cross, Blackall QLD Class 38A Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six, 100 Day Grain-Fed Steers 1st - Russell Pastoral Operations, ADG: 2.69kg, Angus Cross, Blackall QLD 2nd - Gyranda Pastoral Company, ADG: 2.61kg, Santa Gertrudis, Theodore QLD Continued page 2
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