Agricultural
29 June, 2026
Moola stud takes out award at Paddock to Palate
Producers Darren and Len Henschell from Moola took out Class 39A at the RNA Paddock to Palate competition presented at Beef City recently.
Regional Queensland producers have dominated the first phase of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland’s (RNA) prestigious Paddock to Palate Competition.
Simon and Myriam Daley from Beilba, Russell Pastoral Operations from Blackall, Kireina Wagyu based at Burncluith, and Leonard and Darren Henschell from Moola all featured strongly in the best aggregate weight gain phase of the competition.
Commercial breeders Simon and Myriam Daley took out Class 37 (120-day export), with their pen of Charolais cross cattle recording an average daily gain (ADG) of 3.03kg.
The Daleys also dominated Class 40 (HGP-free 120-day export), winning first place with an ADG of 2.4kg, and securing third place with an ADG of 2.24kg.
Russell Pastoral Operations was also a standout, taking out Class 38 (100-day trade) with their pen of Angus cross cattle recording an ADG of 2.69kg.
They also claimed the highest individual weight gain in Class 37 with an ADG of 3.43kg and placed second in the same class with an ADG of 2.98kg.
In the Wagyu classes, Kireina Wagyu claimed Class 41 (Crossbred Wagyu 380-day), with their Composite Wagyu x F1 Wagyu recording an ADG of 1.33kg.
They also secured the highest individual weight gain in the class, with an ADG of 1.50kg.
Meanwhile, Leonard and Darren Henschell also took out Class 39 (Fullblood Purebred Wagyu 380-day), with their pen of fullblood cattle recording an ADG of 1.15kg, while also claiming the highest individual weight gain for the class with an ADG of 1.439kg.
These results were further strengthened by a record number of entries in the 2026 competition, with 1,358 head of cattle taking part - an increase of 25 per cent on last year.
RNA Beef Committee Chair Gary Noller said the Paddock to Palate competition provides producers with a competitive advantage in the market.
“For seedstock producers, it translates to higher averages at their bull sales, with standout exhibitors in the competition achieving results above breed averages,” he said.
“On the commercial side, producers are using the competition to prove their genetics and confirm they are making the right decisions in their selection of bulls and females at home.”
Mr Noller said new commercial and seedstock exhibitors were entering the competition each year, recognising the benefits it delivers.
“Every year we see new exhibitors take part in the competition, as they recognise that strong results in Paddock to Palate can give them a clear point of difference in the market,” he said.
Mr Noller said this was the first year all five classes of the weight gain phase had been held at Beef City.
“I would like to sincerely thank our competition presenting partner JBS Australia, who expanded their support to include the Wagyu classes at Beef City, with all classes now hosted at the feedlot.”
Competition Classes 37, 38 and 40 are three-phased, comprising best aggregate weight gain, carcase performance and MSA eating quality.
The Wagyu Challenge (Classes 39 and 41) is a four-phased competition, culminating in a beef taste-off judged by some of Queensland’s leading chefs.
The competition offers almost $65,000 in prize money across the five classes.
Exhibitors who achieve the highest aggregate scores across all phases will be awarded the major prizes at the Paddock to Palate Awards Dinner at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Thursday August 6th during Ekka Beef Week.
RESULTS
Class 37A Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six, 120 Day Grain-Fed Steers
1st - Simon and Myriam Daley, ADG: 3.03kg, Charolais Cross, Beilba, QLD
2nd - Russell Pastoral Operations, ADG: 2.98kg, Angus Cross, Blackall, QLD
3rd - Hinz Grazing, ADG: 2.96kg, Shorthorn Santa X, QLD
Class 37A Highest Individual Weight Gain
Russell Pastoral Operations, ADG: 3.43kg, Angus Cross, Blackall, QLD
Class 38A Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six, 100 Day Grain-Fed Steers
1st - Russell Pastoral Operations, ADG: 2.69kg, Angus Cross, Blackall, QLD
2nd - Gyranda Pastoral Company, ADG: 2.61kg, Santa Gertrudis, Theodore, QLD
3rd - Aurelian Pastoral Co, ADG: 2.55kg, Angus/Ultrablack, St George, QLD
Class 38A Highest Individual Weight Gain
Juandah Grazing, ADG: 3.12kg, Charolais Cross, Guluguba, QLD
Class 39A Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six, 380 Day Grain-Fed Wagyu Steers
1st - LA & DL Henschell, ADG: 1.15kg, Fullblood, Moola, QLD
2nd - Hamilton Park Pastoral Company, ADG: 1.12kg, Fullblood, Wallumbilla, QLD
3rd - Hamilton Park Pastoral Company, ADG 1.1kg, Fullblood, Wallumbilla, QLD
Class 39A Highest Individual Weight Gain
LA & DL Henschell, ADG: 1.439kg, Fullblood, Moola, QLD
Class 40A Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six, 120 Day HGP Free Steers
1st - Simon and Myriam Daley, ADG: 2.4kg, Charolais Cross, Beilba, QLD
2nd - Palgrove Charolais, ADG: 2.27kg, Charolais X, Bukkulla, New South Wales
3rd - Simon and Myriam Daley, ADG: 2.24kg, Charolais Cross, Beilba, QLD
Class 40A Highest Individual Weight Gain
Palgrove Charolais, ADG: 2.76kg, Charolais X, Bukkulla, New South Wales
Class 41A Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six, 380 Day Grain-Fed Wagyu Steers
1st - Kireina Wagyu, ADG: 1.33kg, Composite Wagyu x F1 Wagyu, Burncluith, QLD
2nd - Red Hill Lands, ADG: 1.2kg, Angus/Wagyu, Upper Manilla, New South Wales
3rd - Leeton Grazing, ADG: 1.13kg, Wagyu/Angus, Halls Creek, New South Wales
Class 41A Highest Individual Weight Gain
Kireina Wagyu, ADG: 1.50kg, Composite Wagyu x F1 Wagyu, Burncluith, QLD.
