Celebrated Ipswich butcher Gerry Muckert returned to the winners circle exhibiting three of his trademark Limousin steers to claim the champion grainfed pen of sale title at this year’s Moreton Beef Classic Show and Sale.

Other winners at the 22nd annual event included Jason and Megan Livingstone, Ballycasheen, Maidenwell, who exhibited the champion grain trade beast. The 460kg steer was bought by Coles Supermarkets for 342c to return $1573. The Livingstones also sold the 665kg champion grainfed export beast for 310c to return $2061.

Bernie Duncombe and Crystelle Kies, Arakoon, Nanango, sold the 680kg champion grass fed exhibit for 298c to return $2026 from JBS Australia. Beaudesert State High School sold the 375kg champion grain trade beast for 302c to return $1132 from Marcelford Meats.

As is the tradition at Moreton, prize money provided by Westpac for the buyers of the champion pens was donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Despite the downturn in prime cattle prices, Boyd O’Brien Bartholomew’s 578 head show and sale proved a cracker. The consistently high quality trade cattle on offer met strong competition from both wholesalers and buyers sourcing young cattle with show potential.

Mr Muckert also topped the sale on a cents a kilogram basis selling a Limousin steer for 502c ($1882) which will enter the show circuit.

In other sales a 460kg Limousin steer from Noel Hinton, Maidenwell sold for 450c ($2070) to the Cooper Family. Ray Zahnow, Fernvale Limousins, sold grain assist steers for 316c to Coles