On The Land
5 April, 2024
Huge prize pool to attract Prime Beef entries
WITH this year marking the 107th year of the Malanda Show, Tablelands beef cattle producers are gearing up for the highly anticipated Prime Beef competition.
Malanda Show Prime Beef chief steward Colleen McLucas advised that the Prime Beef Schedule has been updated and will be on the show website in the coming weeks.
“If it is anything like last year’s show, where 55 entries with a total of 113 head were penned in the 35 yards, exhibitors will need to get their entries in early,” Colleen said.
“With all the great prizes and attractive prize money on offer, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the pens will be filled to capacity in no time.”
With entries closing on 28 June or when pens are filled, exhibitors are advised to start planning their entries now.
“As chief steward I am happy to answer any questions exhibitors may have and my contact details are included in the schedule along with the rules and class details,” she said.
Only recognised beef breed pasture fed cattle may be entered and while “weight for age” and temperament are the main criteria, the rules also clearly state that all cattle must be polled or dehorned and must have four teeth or less.
All cattle entered must be delivered to the Prime Beef Yards by 3pm on Friday 5 July for penning and curfew.
“The Classes and Champions sections remain the same with this year’s naming sponsor being Malanda Meat Co.,” Colleen said.
“We have nine different classes including Single entries and “Pens of Three” in the different weight ranges.
“The total prize pool for this year’s Prime Beef Section, including cash and product, is over $6000.”
This year’s judge will be Peter Chiesa from Palm Creek Brahmans at Ingham.
“Peter is an experienced judge and is looking forward to judging for us this year,” Colleen said.
Judging will take place on Saturday 6 July at 1pm with presentations to follow at 4pm at the Prime Beef Yards.
“The most sought-after prize is the ‘Most Successful Prime Beef Exhibitor’, and Doug Cross from Altitude Beef has kindly offered $1000 to sponsor this section,” Colleen said.
Doug and his wife Katelyn operate Cross Custom Meats in Atherton and launched their Tableland pasture fed beef brand “Altitude” in 2023.
Doug is pleased to be a part of the Malanda Show Prime Beef Section as he feels it is a great opportunity to showcase the quality grass fed cattle raised on the Tablelands.
He said it gives producers a chance to see what other breeds are produced and how they perform.
“Owen and Roma Rankine were the 2023 ‘Most Successful Exhibitors’ with their Brangus cross cattle and they plan on entering again this year,” Colleen said.
