Nominations Open for Beef Australia’s 2027 National Beef Carcase Competition
Nominations are now officially open for the 2027 National Beef Carcase Competition, a prestigious event organized by Beef Australia, featuring the participation of processors from every Australian state. This competition is recognized as one of the largest of its kind in the nation.
Sponsored by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), this competition provides producers with a unique chance to benchmark their cattle performance against peers from their own region as well as other parts of Australia.
AMPC chief executive Edwina Toohey emphasized the significance of accurate carcase measurement, stating, “The competition gives producers a clear, nationally-consistent way to assess how their cattle perform against market expectations, while supporting processors with valuable insights that contribute to eating quality, yield and profitability.”
Toohey added that this initiative fosters collaboration between producers and processors, ensuring that Australian beef adheres to the highest standards for both domestic and export markets.
A Unique Opportunity for Beef Producers
Participants in the competition will have the chance to win the coveted title of Beef Australia’s 2027 AMPC National Beef Carcase Competition Champion Carcase. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three placements, along with ribbons for the first six places across eight classes.
The competition builds upon the Australian Beef Carcase Appraisal System (ABCAS), supported by Meat Standards Australia. Nominations are evaluated using the latest technologies available within the beef industry, including the Master Beef camera for detailed grading oversight.
Market-Focused Appraisal System
According to David Hill, chair of the National Beef Carcase Competition Committee, the appraisal system has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of both export and domestic markets. This includes lean meat yield and predicted eating quality based on the MSA Index.
“Entrants can showcase their ability to produce some of the finest quality beef in the world,” Hill stated. “In this competition, the difference between first and lower placings can be less than a single point across three carcasses.”
To accommodate peak cattle turn-off periods, producers can deliver their cattle entries over a twelve-month competition phase to their nominated meat processor for carcase judging.
Awards and Recognition
The winners will be revealed during an Awards Dinner at Beef 2027, set to take place in May of next year. Not only will cash prizes and ribbons be awarded to top pens in each class, but the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) will also present a trophy to the winning pen of three carcasses with the highest combined MSA Index scores.
Additionally, awards will be conferred for the Champion Pen and Reserve Champion Pen, recognizing the Highest Scoring Pen of three across all classes, along with Champion and Reserve Champion Carcase titles.
Nominations will close one month prior to the intended slaughter date of entrants’ cattle, with the final slaughter date set for 31 January 2027.
Get Involved
Producers interested in entering the competition can now submit nominations online. For detailed information about the competition, including conditions and judging criteria, please refer to the 2027 AMPC National Beef Carcase Competition Schedule.
