Gyeonggi Province is recruiting farms to take part in the "8th Gyeonggi Hanwoo Premium Beef Evaluation Contest 2026" through Feb. 25 to boost the quality competitiveness of the region's Hanwoo, or Korean native cattle, the province said Thursday.
Now in its eighth year, the contest has moved beyond a simple assessment event to become a flagship policy initiative aimed at building the brand value of Gyeonggi Hanwoo. Jointly organized by Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters of NongHyup Agribusiness Group, it seeks to raise the overall standard of the region's Hanwoo industry through competition and technical exchange among top farms.
The judging method is notable. The contest comprehensively evaluates not only outcome indicators such as carcass grade, meat quality and yield, but also farm environment and disease control standards. It examines the entire raising process, including registered cattle management, the operation of quarantine facilities to block disease, and whether farms hold HACCP certification. The approach aims to identify farms that combine premium beef production capacity with disease control systems, reflecting a policy commitment to achieving both quality and safety.
Awards are divided into three categories: premium beef, outstanding brand, and a special award (Youth Praise). The inclusion of a special award for young farmers is seen as targeting the challenges of generational change and cultivating successors in the Hanwoo industry. Top farms receive commendations from the provincial governor and from heads of livestock organizations.
The contest will run from Oct. 13 to 15 at the Dodram Anseong Livestock Products Marketing Center in Anseong, proceeding in the order of shipment, slaughter, judging and auction. The awards ceremony will be held Oct. 25 in conjunction with the Livestock Promotion Convention. Eligible participants are Hanwoo farms in the province recommended by their local livestock cooperative (brand management organization), and they may enter castrated cattle that were born in Gyeonggi Province and have completed pedigree registration.
"The Gyeonggi Hanwoo Premium Beef Evaluation Contest is a meaningful event that discovers outstanding farms and enhances the quality competitiveness of Gyeonggi Hanwoo," said Lee Eun-kyung, head of Gyeonggi Province's Animal Disease Control and Hygiene Division. "We look forward to active participation from Hanwoo farms across the province."
