NOMINATIONS are now open for Australia’s most prestigious cattle competitions, which will be held next year at Beef Australia 2015 in Rockhampton.

The Landmark Stud Cattle Championships and the Ruralco Commercial Cattle Championships are centerpieces of Australia’s national cattle industry exposition, which is held just once every three years.

Recognised as one of the world’s great cattle events, the expo attracts top-quality cattle from all over Australia as producers vie for the highly sought after titles.

“At the core of Beef Australia’s existence is showcasing to the world the best beef cattle Australia has to offer,” Beef Australia chief executive Denis Cox said.

“For cattlemen a Beef Australia championship is akin to an athlete winning an Olympic medal – the fact that our national exposition is held just once every three years means that trophies are highly prized and keenly sought-after by Australia’s top cattle producers.”

At Beef Australia 2012 more than 2000 head were judged in the Ruralco Commercial Cattle Championships held at the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange, Gracemere.

The 2015 Ruralco Commercial Cattle Championships will include 12 classes encompassing both grain and grassfed cattle, as well as four age-groups in the young judges’ competition. Cattle will be judged on Sunday May 3 and sold at auction on Monday May 4.

A further 2000 stud cattle representing 31 breeds competed in the Beef Australia 2012 Landmark Stud Cattle Championships held at the Rockhampton Showgrounds.

Next year’s competition will include up to 34 classes per breed, plus junior led steer competitions, beginning on Tuesday May 5 and culminating with the interbreed judging on Thursday May 7.

Stud producers have until Friday January 30 to nominate their cattle, with a late fee of $75 to be charged for any nominations made after that date. Nominations received after 6 March 2015 will not be accepted.

Commercial cattle nominations close on Friday 30 March 2015 – late nominations will not be accepted.

• Nominations must be submitted through Beef Australia’s online entry forms at www.beefaustralia.com.au. The online nomination forms include the option for stud producers to book camping facilities. Full class schedules are also available online.

Source: Beef Australia