The 2026 Bindaree Food Group + Colin Say & Co Feedlot Trial & Carcase Competition is officially underway, with cattle inducted into the program on Wednesday, 8 July.

Producers from across New South Wales and Queensland delivered a strong field of 275 head across four categories Angus Steers, Angus Heifers, Crossbred Steers and Crossbred Heifers before cattle were weighed, assessed and transported to Myola Feedlot, where they will spend the next 120 days on feed.

The day began at Inverell Regional Livestock Exchange (IRLX), where exhibitors, industry representatives and sponsors gathered for a welcome BBQ breakfast and coffee. The day provided an excellent opportunity for producers to connect with fellow participants, inspect the trial pens and gain an insight into what promises to be another valuable year of performance benchmarking and producer feedback.

A highlight of the morning was the hoof judging competition, conducted by Georgia Birch from StockLive, with awards presented across several categories.

2026 Hoof Winners

Angus Steers

  • Pen 308 – JD, LG & MD Grabham

Euro Steers

  • Pen 263 – La Palma Beef Company Pty Ltd

British Steers

  • Pen 264 – G. Morgan & Co

Angus Heifers

  • Pen 256 – GK & PJ Smith

Euro Heifers

  • Pen 250 – Oscar & Archie Purvis

Overall Winner

  • Angus Steers, Pen 308 – JD, LG & MD Grabham

Congratulations to all category winners and participants on the quality of cattle presented for this year’s competition delivered to IRLX.

Following delivery at Myola Feedlot, cattle underwent induction procedures, including genomic testing by Laura from Neogen. The introduction of genotype testing represents an exciting new initiative for the 2026 trial, providing producers with an additional layer of data and insight into the genetic potential of their cattle. Combined with feedlot performance and carcase results, this information will help participants gain an even deeper understanding of how genetics and management decisions influence commercial outcomes.

Now entering its third year, the Feedlot Trial & Carcase Competition continues to grow in both scale and value, offering producers a unique opportunity to measure cattle performance from induction through to carcase assessment and grading.

Alongside detailed feedlot performance, genomic and carcase feedback, participants are competing for a range of individual and group awards to be presented at the November Awards Dinner. The competition’s major prize will see the top two overall performers earn a place on the 2027 Bindaree Producer Immersion Tour to China, providing a unique opportunity to experience firsthand how Australian beef is marketed, sold and enjoyed in one of the world’s most important export markets. This is in addition to the opportunity for participants to nominate a pen for the BEEF27 Carcase Competition.

The program will continue throughout the year with several key events, including the Myola Feedlot Open Day in October, the Carcass Information Session and Chiller Walk Through in November, and the Presentation Dinner later that month, where award winners will be announced and celebrated.

We’re excited to see how the 2026 trial unfolds and look forward to sharing updates as the cattle progress through the program.