What’s happening?
North Queensland cattle producers have been recognised at the annual JBS Townsville Carcase Competition, with top performers named across six judging classes and the JBS Producer Compliance Order.
Hosted by Australia’s largest beef processor, JBS Australia, the competition gave producers the chance to enter cattle for carcase grading and judging. It also gave them direct feedback on how their livestock compared with others across the region.
Now in its fourth year, the competition has become a key event for producers wanting to test cattle quality, carcase compliance and consistency. This year’s awards night was held at the Townsville Turf Club, where judges recognised a high-quality field and close results across several classes.
Why it matters?
The competition gives producers more than public recognition. It also provides benchmarking data that can help guide practical decisions on breeding, feeding and herd management.
For North Queensland’s cattle industry, that feedback is important because it helps producers see where their livestock sit against regional and market standards. It also gives them clear information that can support future improvement.
JBS Townsville Livestock Manager Aaron Adcock said the event showed the strength of cattle coming out of the region.
“This competition highlights the strength and consistency of livestock coming out of North Queensland, while also giving producers meaningful data to support on-farm decision-making,” Mr Adcock said.
“It’s great to see such strong engagement from producers committed to delivering quality outcomes, and I congratulate all entrants and placegetters on their achievements.”
Local Impact
Hughenden producers Alan and Carmel Bethel were among the standout performers on the night, earning recognition across meat quality and compliance categories.
The pair took out Highest MSA Index Individual Carcase HGP Free Champion, were named JBS Producer Compliance Order Reserve Champion, and placed Runner-up in On Hook Carcase Pen of Three HGP Free.
For the Bethels, the results reflected more than a decade of supplying JBS and building consistency across their herd.
“We’ve supplied JBS for more than a decade, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see that consistency of our herd recognised across the different measures,” Carmel said.
By the numbers
- The competition is now in its fourth year, showing its growing place on North Queensland’s cattle calendar.
- Producers competed across six classes, covering on-hoof, on-hook and MSA Index categories.
- Attendees judged five breeds in a blind tasting, with Angus X named champion breed.
Zoom In
The competition recognised winners across six classes, along with the JBS Producer Compliance Order.
- Class 1
On The Hoof | Pen of Four | HGP Free
Champion: ST & VE Smith
Reserve Champion: Magee Family
Runner-up: Misty Mountains Cattle Co - Class 2
On The Hoof | Pen of Four | HGP Treated
Champion: Fletcher Vale Grazing Trust
Reserve Champion: Lornevale Roseglen Partnership
Runner-up: Star River Pastoral Company - Class 3
On Hook Carcase | Pen of Three | HGP Free
Champion: Magee Family
Reserve Champion: Riverview Cattle Co
Runner-up: Bethel AJ & CM - Class 4
On Hook Carcase | Pen of Three | HGP Treated
Champion: Ball TR & KE
Reserve Champion: Binnie JD & CM
Runner-up: Lornevale Roseglen Partnership - Class 5
Highest MSA Index | Individual Carcase | HGP Free
Champion: Bethel AJ & CM
Reserve Champion: Dunda Grazing - Class 6
Highest MSA Index | Individual Carcase | HGP Treated
Champion: Binnie JD & CM
Reserve Champion: Ball TR & KE - JBS Producer Compliance Order
Champion: Ball TR & KE
Reserve Champion: Bethel AJ & CM
Zoom Out
The Townsville competition shows how beef producers are using judging feedback to improve cattle performance and build more consistent results.
While the awards recognise the top placegetters, the wider value sits in the information producers receive after judging. That feedback can help shape future supply and support better outcomes across the region.
The event also included a blind tasting of five breeds from the competition. Attendees judged the breeds on flavour, texture, taste, appearance and overall liking, with Angus X named champion breed.
What To Look For Next?
With the competition now in its fourth year, it is likely to remain an important event for North Queensland producers.
The strong field this year points to growing interest in data, feedback and quality results across the cattle industry.
