Chinchilla breeder and finisher Kaylene Wonka, Reardon Operations at Talwood and John and Mary Atkins, Taroom, collected top honours at the first of the annual Meat Standards Australia Excellence in Eating Quality Awards, the Queensland event, held in Gympie tonight.
Mrs Wonka was named the Most Outstanding Queensland Beef Producer while Reardon Operations collected the grain fed award and the Atkins, “Spion Kop”, won the inaugural progress award for showing the greatest improvement in MSA results over the past two financial years.
Mrs Wonka runs 300 Murray Grey/Angus breeders on 300 hectares at “Blue Poles”, supplying butchers and processors to their specifications.
She and her late husband Darryl started “Blue Poles” in 1988 and have supported many shows with prime cattle and led steers.
Since the passing of husband 27 months ago, Mrs Wonka has carried on the operation and said being told in August she was in the top three finalists for this award gave her the extra strength she needed to keep working towards promoting Australian beef.
“I want to continue making Australians aware of what happens behind the scenes in the red meat industry to get the perfect piece of MSA steak on their plate at home, on the barbecue or in the favourite restaurant,” she said.
Over the next month, some of Australia’s top beef producers will be recognised for their hard work, dedication and quality produce as Meat and Livestock Australia rolls out its MSA Eating Quality Awards in every state.
As part of each event, a producer forum featuring an informative talk on what makes the perfect MSA index, along with plenty more updates on consumer insights and the latest research and development in the MSA area will be held.
The next event will be in Victoria on Tuesday, from 2pm at Warragul.
Shan Goodwin
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
