May 11, 2020
Most of this year’s Ekka may have been cancelled but the Royal Queensland Show’s popular Led Steer competition will still be held.
On Monday, RNA officials announced the competition would still be run but in a modified format this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
It will feature all Hook classes with double the prize money – a total of more than $13,000 up for grabs.
Judging will be carried out by qualified Aus-Meat chiller assessors on Wednesday, August 5, following transportation of the cattle to Nolan Meats at Gympie the day prior.
Reserve Champions and Champions will also have their carcasses auctioned to the highest bidder via a livestream.
RNA Beef Committee chair Gary Noller said it was important the RNA found a way to continue to run the competition in some capacity.
“Our dedicated exhibitors have been preparing their cattle for the Show since before the Ekka was cancelled in April, so it’s important we provide an avenue to recoup some of their investment,” he said.
“The carcass information helps exhibitors to promote their bull sales from late August to October during the spring bull sale season.”
Mr Noller said with three school classes in the Led Steer Competition, it was also vital to continue to provide educational support to students and teachers.
“Exhibitors will receive photos of both the live animal and the carcass, combined with data, so they can be used as an educational tool for agricultural students,” he said.
Led steer entries will need to be delivered to one of four nominated saleyards on Monday, August 3 for transportation to Nolan Meats.
The saleyards are Glen Innes in NSW and Murgon, Toowoomba and Silverdale in Queensland.
Entries will close on Friday, June 12. and entry forms are available online
- Related article: Ekka Cancelled
