TIME is running out for entries into Beef 2024’s showcase Commercial Cattle Championship, taking place in May this year.

With the big turnaround in seasonal conditions in many areas since November, entries are already flowing in at a healthy level, but organisers are extending a final call to beef producers to join the competition.

Nominations for this year’s competition can be made via this address, and close at midnight this Friday, 15 March.

The previous event held back in 2021 attracted around 1800 commercial cattle from across Queensland and northern regions of NSW.

Twelve classes will be contested this year – six each for grainfed and grassfed. Grainfed divisions include four steer classes for domestic through to export weights, including an EU class for non-implant cattle, plus two heifer classes for heavy trade and EU.

Grassfed classes cover similar steer and heifer categories from domestic to export weights, plus EU.

As well as the honour, recognition and benchmarking aspects of participation in the competition, there’s some great prizemoney attached, with the four champion pens receiving $1000 each (reserves $500), plus $1500 for grand champion pen. Class winners receive $575 and seconds, $345.

Judging for this year’s event will take place at CQLX Gracemere on Sunday 5 May, with the feature sale from 8am the following morning, Monday 6 May. The awards presentation dinner takes place from 6.30pm that evening. Ticket details below.

A young commercial cattle judges competition will take place during judging on Sunday, 5 May.

Beef Australia CEO Simon Irwin said every three years, commercial cattlemen and women from across Australia have the chance to put their cattle to the test and be named the best in the country, during Beef Australia’s premier triennial event.

“Given the challenging seasonal and market conditions producers faced during the back half of 2023, the competition is on track to present a solid line up of both grain and grass finished cattle to showcase to the public,” he said.

“I encourage anyone who has not entered to nominate before Friday’s deadline, so don’t miss out on what is gearing up to be a true competition between Australia’s best commercial cattle producers.”

Beef Australia Commercial Cattle Championship committee chair Angus Creedon said the competition was a chance for producers to receive comprehensive feedback from knowledgeable judges.

“Beef Australia has selected judges that have knowledge on current market specifications, relevant to market drivers and modern production parameters,” Mr Creedon said.

“It’s a competition not to be missed, and I encourage any commercial producer to nominate.”

Nutrien Ag Solutions NE Region Livestock Activity Lead Colby Ede said the Championship was a tremendous opportunity to receive valuable feedback.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to receive valuable feedback from industry experts on your cattle operation and gain national exposure at Beef Australia 2024’s high-profile industry event,” he said.

• The Championship ends with the Nutrien Ag Solutions Commercial Cattle Awards Dinner on Monday 6 May, where producers, breeders, and industry stakeholders can come together and celebrate the achievements and innovations within Australia’s cattle industry. Tickets are still available and can be booked here.