From a record number of 350 entries in this year's Steak of Origin challenge, the following competitors have made it through to the semi-final as determined by Lincoln University's tenderness testing:

Class 1: Best of European

Don Buchanan, Taumarunui (Piedmontese) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Rob & Mary Ann Burrows, Culverden (Charolais) processed at South Pacific Meats/Hellaby Meats

John & Sarah Hammond, Kaitaia (Simmental) processed at Silver Fern Farms Dargaville

Craig Martin, Feilding (Simmental) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Peter Maxwell, Auckland (Simmental) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Peter McWilliam, Masterton (Simmental x2) processed at Taylor Preston

Dannie & Bethley O'Shea, Whangarei (Limousin) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Class 2: Best of British

John & Joss Bayley, Pahia (Angus) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Bryan Bendall, Eketahuna (Angus) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Chris & Karren Biddles, Te Kopuru (Angus x3) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Rob & Mary Ann Burrows, Culverden (Poll Hereford x4) processed at South Pacific Meats/Hellaby Meats

John & Lindy Dobson, Winton (Shorthorn x2) processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand

Joe & Lea Fouhy, Pahiatua (Angus) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Ian Grogan, Feilding (Angus) processed at Silver Fern Farms Hastings

Mike & Lorraine Langtry, Feilding (Poll Hereford) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Ceri Lewis, Mt Linton Station, Otautau (Angus x3) processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand

Kevin McConnell, Whangarei (South Devon) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

David McKenzie, Waipu (Angus x2) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

John Morrison, Marton (Ezicalve Hereford) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Motukawa Land Company, Taihape (Te Mania Certified Premium Angus) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Progressive Enterprises

Rod Percival, Whitianga (Welsh Black) processed at AgResearch Ruakura

Rotopiko Trust, Wellington (Angus) processed at Taylor Preston

Timothy Plummer, Waipawa (Shorthorn) processed at Silver Fern Farms Hastings

Greg Simpson, Tuakau (Murray Grey) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Te Mania Livestock, Parnassus (Te Mania Certified Premium Angus) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Progressive Enterprises

Hamish Williams, Gisborne (Angus x2) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Tim & Gill Wilson, Little River (Angus) processed at Silver Fern Farms Belfast

Class 3: Best of Crossbreed & Other

Chris & Karren Biddles, Te Kopuru (Angus/Jersey x2) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Chris & Karren Biddles, Te Kopuru (Angus/White Hereford) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Don Buchanan, Taumarunui (Piedmontese X x2) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

John & Lindy Dobson, Winton (Shorthorn/Friesian) processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand

Bruce & Maureen Fisher, Christchurch (Charolais/Angus/Hereford) processed at Silver Fern Farms Belfast

Andrew & Annie Jardine, Te Kuiti (Simmental/Friesian/Hereford) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Kevin McConnell, Whangarei (South Devon/Angus x2) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

John Morrison, Marton (Ezicalve Hereford/Kiwi) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

David & Suzanne Quantock, Ashburton (Friesian/Hereford) processed at Silver Fern Farms Belfast

Rotopiko Trust, Wellington (Angus/Hereford) processed at Taylor Preston

Jim Syme, Waipukurau (Shorthorn/Hereford) processed at Silver Fern Farms Hastings

Catherine Withers, Rotorua (Piedmontese/Friesian) processed at AgResearch Ruakura

Class 4: Best of Brand (Retailers)

AE Preston & Company Ltd, Wellington (Angus) processed at Taylor Preston

Bowmont Wholesale Meats, Invercargill (Hereford Prime) processed at Prime Range

Freshzone Foodtown/Countdown processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Progressive Enterprises

Freshzone Foodtown/Woolworths/Countdown processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Progressive Enterprises

Lake Farm Beef, Cambridge (Piedmontese X) processed at AgResearch Ruakura

Neat Meat, Auckland (AngusPure) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Whariti Meats, Pahiatua (Glanworth Angus x3) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Class 5: Best of Brand (Wholesalers and Foodservice)

AE Preston & Company Ltd, Wellington (Angus) processed at Taylor Preston

Chef's Choice, Wanganui (AngusPure) processed at Landmeat NZ Ltd

Harris Meats, Cheviot (Angus X) processed at Harris Meats

Neat Meat, Auckland (AngusPure x2) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby

Progressive Foodmore, Auckland processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Progressive Enterprises

The Meat & Wool New Zealand competition supported by PGG Wrightson and Pfizer Animal Genetics, will see each semi-finalist sirloin steak tasted by a panel of judges comprising chefs, dietitians and meat industry personnel. The semi-final will be staged at Caf Valentino in Christchurch on Thursday 30 April from 11am. The top four steaks in each class will be tasted by the public at Countdown Church Corner in Riccarton, Christchurch on Friday 1 May from 11am. The public score will contribute 10% of the final mark. The Grand Champion will be announced at the final during Beef Expo on Monday 11 May.