THE Darling Downs region has just become third-time reigning champion in the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show (RQFWS) Branded Beef and Lamb Competition.

Stockyard Beef took out the John Kilroy Cha Cha Char Grand Champion Branded Beef of Show with its wagyu Kiwami, produced at the Kerwee Feedlot, at Jondaryan.

Kerwee Feedlot general manager Steve Martin said the firm was going in its 60th year in 2017, and the climate on the Darling Downs was part of what made their beef so successful.

"The climate and good grain feed source is what makes the beef out here so great,” Mr Martin said.

"We have several brands under the Stockyard banner, but this wagyu is our top premium product and as of last year, we're exporting into 18 countries.

"It's just really good validation for what we do all the time out here at Kerwee,” he said.

Chief judge Elaine Millar said Stockyard's Darling Downs-grown steak displayed exceptional qualities.

"It had textbook marbling, luscious juiciness, melt in the mouth tenderness and incredibly well-balanced flavours,” Ms Millar said.