Palgrove takes home first place for a fourth consecutive year at Ekka Paddock to Palate competition

The Granite Belt producer has again claimed glory in one of the toughest commercial competitions on offer, proving they are producing some of the highest-quality cattle in the whole country.

Tim Williams, Ben Noller and Charlie Howard of Palgrove with a selection of their bulls. Photo: Contributed

A Granite Belt producer has taken top prize in one of Australia’s most prestigious commercial cattle competitions for a fourth straight year, proving its breeding program is producing some of the highest quality beef in the country

Dalveen-based Palgrove has made a name for itself as a top performing stud breeder over the past 50 years.

On August 4, Palgrove claimed its fourth win in the Class 37 category and second win in a row in the Class 40 category at the Ekka Paddock to Palate competition.

Palgrove director David Bondfield said it was pretty exciting to win such a major award for four straight years.

“It’s very thrilling for us, it’s one of the toughest commercial competitions in the country,” he said.

David Bondfield with the Charolais and Ultrablack bulls. Photo: Amy Kadel / NRM

Business development and genetics manager Ben Noller said the win came as a shock but reinforced that Palgrove is a cut above the rest in terms of genetically-modified animals.

“People invest in our genetics and this overall win shows that along all points on the supply chain, including weight, carcass and MSA eating quality are balanced,” he said.

Mr Noller said it also gives the business and clients confidence that what they are investing in, in terms of Charloasis and Ultra-Blacks are at the top end and of a high-quality.

“Four years in a row gives you confidence in the program and confidence that you’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

Palgrove took home five awards including a second place in the Class 37 category, a first place champion carcass for a steer from the Class 37 and pen.

In the weight gain stage of the competition earlier this year, Palgrove walked away with $2750 after winning the overall highest individual weight gain for their Class 40 cattle, and the overall best weight gain for their pen of six Charolais-cross cattle in two different classes.

Palgrove Pastoral Company‘s Ben Noller accepting the first place ribbon from Rabobank’s Mal Porter at the Paddock to Palate weight gain stage. Photo: Contributed

Originally published as Palgrove takes home first place for a fourth consecutive year at Ekka Paddock to Palate competition