Simon and Myriam Daley and Ben Noller. Picture: RNA

WHAT started as a way to benchmark their cattle has delivered major rewards for western Queensland producers Simon and Myriam Daley, who claimed top honours in the weight gain section of both 120-day export classes in the Paddock to Palate competition results announced yesterday.

Steers from the Daley’s commercial cattle enterprise, along with the Palgrove Charolais herd they own in partnership with Ben and Gemma Noller, outperformed a record field of entries to dominate the HGP and HGP-free export classes of the 2026 event, hosted at JBS Australia’s Beef City feedlot.

A pen of six Charolais-cross steers from the Daleys’ western Queensland herd sustained an average daily gain of 3.03kg over 120 days to win the expanded export class.

Two further Daley pens averaged 2.4kg/day and 2.24kg/day to finish first and third in the HGP-free 120-day export class, split only by a pen of Palgrove Charolais steers averaging 2.27kg/day.

Another Palgrove Charolais steer recorded an average daily gain of 2.76kg over 120 days to claim the highest individual weight gain award in the HGP-free export section.

Simon and Myriam have expanded their cattle enterprise from a single property at Longreach into an aggregation that now includes properties at Blackall and Injune, alongside their partnership in the Palgrove Charolais herd at Ben Lomond, NSW, acquired 11 months ago.

The Daleys have built a breeding herd over time with a large percentage of red factor Charolais females, along with Simmental, Angus and Santa Gertrudis genetics, producing honey-coloured flatback cattle for feeder markets.

The long-term Palgrove Charolais clients have enjoyed strong success in the Paddock to Palate competition in their own right as commercial producers since joining the competition in 2023, but were especially overjoyed when this year’s results were announced on Tuesday.

“We’re predominantly crossbreeding with our own cattle, but we’ve been sourcing genetics for a long time from Palgrove Charolais,” Simon said.

“And with the interest we now have with Palgrove Charolais and with Ben and Gemma Noller and our staff, we’re all selecting for that quality, and that is what we’re aiming for and that is a terrific result today.”

Myriam said one of the greatest benefits of the RNA Paddock to Palate competition was the opportunity to learn from other cattle producers

“I think every competition I used to be here I’d keep asking Ben Noller, ‘okay, now, what do you like about that beast?’ And just through that sort of information getting back from people who really know the business and know their cattle, so that you know, you’re never too old to learn.”

“It’s also very special that we’ve had Ben stand up there beside us today. That’s very special for us as well.”

Ben Noller and Myriam and Simon Daley from Palgrove Charolais accept the ribbon for highest individual weight gain in class 40A from RNA councillor Michael Grieve.

Competition helps to fill feedback void

The Daleys said they initially entered the competition to benchmark their own cattle because they felt they were not getting a lot of feedback from selling direct.

“We decided that – we haven’t got a lot of hobbies – so we thought well maybe this would be something of interest and then we could also just find out where our cattle, what we’re doing and learn from other people, learn from people who are very good at what they do.

“So that’s what we’ve done and we have learned heaps.”

Selection priorities

Some of the Daley’s winning steers in the HGP 120 day export class

When selecting cattle, the Daleys said temperament was their first priority, with significant time invested in weaning practices and animal welfare.

Frame also ranked highly.

“We like to have a frame on our cattle and be able to carry forward for a good carcase and plenty of depth in the beast,” Simon said.

They also paid tribute to the staff who help drive the operation.

“We’ve got great staff that are on the same program. Handle the cattle quietly, but still efficiently, and we make sure we try to go for the quality, not the quantity,” Simon said.

“I think it’s very important that your cattle are relaxed and they feed well and that is just so important to us,” Myriam added.

Emphasis on replacement heifers

The Daleys also emphasise the selection of replacement heifers in their breeding program.

“We’ve been selecting for a long time on type,” Simon said, noting they do not focus solely on breed.

“We want framey, roomy heifers that can carry a calf and be able to walk out, and suit our conditions out there, it is a great season out west at the moment, but sometimes it isn’t.

“So we need a versatile beast that suits markets down here for where we are, such as the feeder steer job.

“When we wean, we do a weaning program and look after those weaners and make sure they’re on a forward plane of nutrition with access to hay and clean water, as a lot of people do do, it’s important to look after those cattle going forward.

“We do use working dogs on our weaners and just teach them not to be frightened and have interaction and work them smoothly and calmly and it pays off later on for our own staff and working in the yards.”

‘Win or lose, we’d enter regardless’

The Daleys said they were grateful to the team at JBS for the additional work involved in running the competition, as well as RNA councillors and staff for coordinating the event.

“We really appreciate what it’s doing and the showcasing of good cattle, the depth of the competition is really important,” Simon said.

“It’s big bonus for us to win, but we’d still be here regardless.”

Results from 2026 Paddock to Palate weight gain section

More stories from the 2026 Paddock to Palate Weight Gain section to come …

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