Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza president Lachlan James said there were 224 steer/carcasses in the competition and 86 exhibitors of cattle.

There were also 384 entries in the paraders which was open to people from primary school students to 25-year-olds.

There were about 360 competitors in the junior judging and about 35 led heifers which do not go to the abattoir.

“Entries in all categories were up about 80 per cent,” Mr James said.

“It is the highest number of cattle in any led carcass competition in NSW,” he said.

Mr James said the quality of the cattle was also the best he had seen i n the four years that the competition has been running for.

“I think a lot of it comes down to the exhibitors knowing it is a quality show and they know they need to bring quality stock,” he said.

The event started with a schools day on Friday, November 6 which was judged by Rodney McDonald from Maitland, but the main event was held on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8.

Farmers travelled from as far as Lithgow, Trangie, Tamworth and Port Macquarie to compete in the event.

The interactive unled judging that took place at the saleyards on Saturday, November 7 was also a success. Mr James said it was standing room only with about 350 people estimated to have attended the event.

Student meat judging was also held at the time with about 60 competitors involved in the Australian Championships for Secondary Students. Mr James said many of those who competed in the championships also took part in the Beef Bonanza.

Of the 86 competitors in the Beef Bonanza between 50 and 60 per cent were from schools with the rest made up of landholders and commercial producers.

“The school participation is great but we also like to encourage other producers,” Mr James said.

“Its good for the schools to interact with other people in the industry,” he said.