This year’s overall champion pen was a group of F4 steers (93pc Wagyu content) exhibited by Que Honnery, Bar H Grazing, Comet, Qld. Que is pictured receiving his award from AWA chief executive Matt McDonagh

ENTRIES carrying the elusive combination of high marbling and superior carcase weight were the standouts in the carcase value section of the 2024 RNA Wagyu Paddock to Palate performance competition, results from which were announced in Brisbane last night.

Almost 200 cattle representing Wagyu breeders across Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania took part in this year’s competition, having been on feed since June last year.

A pen of seven Wagyu F3 Wagyu steers exhibited by Todd Cranny, Bonyi Grazing, Goondiwindi topped the standings in the carcase value division of this year’s Wagyu Paddock to Palate competition, producing an average value of $6751 a head. A number of individual carcases in this group, and a total of 16 scattered throughout all entries, produced carcase values in excess of $7000.

For the purposes of the Wagyu competition, carcase value was calculated from hot standard carcase weight x marbling score x grid $/kg.

In the case of the Bonyi Grazing entries, carcase weights after 400 days on feed at Smithfield feedlot’s Sapphire feedlot near Goondiwindi ranged from 400kg to 500kg, averaging 465kg. Camera-generated marbling scores ranged from 8.8 to 12.7, averaging 9.9.

The individual highest value carcase in the competition, worth $7571, was from a Fullblood pen entered by Selwyn and Jocelyn Maller, Hamilton Park Pastoral Co, Murgon Qld. This body produced a marbling score of 9.1, and exceptional marbling fineness, from a carcase weighing a massive 578kg – the second highest in the competition.

What was clearly evident this year was the number of carcases exceeding 500kg in weight, while still retaining optimum marbling performance.

Overall champions

This year’s overall champion pen, covering points for carcase quality (traits including marbling, marbling fineness and eye muscle area), carcase value, weightgain and beef taste test results, was a pen of F4 steers (93pc Wagyu content) exhibited by Que Honnery, Bar H Grazing, Comet, Qld.

These steers did not win any of the individual category performance awards, but were great allrounders, finishing close to the top in most categories.

Carcase weights averaged 443kg, with individuals as high as 487kg. Marbling scores averaged 9.1, with one extreme animal recording 12.9, and eye muscle areas averaging 122sq cm. Carcase value averaged $5809, with one individual worth $7267.

Runners-up in the overall standings was a pen of Fullblood Wagyu steers exhibited by Mike McCosker, Marathon Wagyu, Emerald, Qld.

Sub-categories

With only a few exceptions, entries carrying F2 or more Wagyu genetics featured among the major award winners this year. One of the exceptions to that was in the weightgain section, where heterosis was a factor. F1 Wagyu x Angus pens exhibited by Hamish McIntyre, McIntyre Agriculture St George placed first and third for weightgain, producing average daily gains of 1.2kg and 1.14kg (high roughage Wagyu style ration).

In other sub-categories, this year’s champion individual carcase, based on carcase quality traits was a purebred (94pc) Wagyu, exhibited as part of a team by Poll Wagyu Pty Ltd, Smithton, Tasmania.

This calf produced a 412kg carcase and the highest marbling score in the competition of the equivalent of 15.2, representing an intramuscular fat level of 52pc.

Reserve champion individual carcase came from Hamblin Grazing, Blue Mountain Qld, producing a marbling score of 14.6, and IMF of 50pc. The same carcase won the beef taste test part of the competition, scoring 95.87 points.