Kristin Murdock, Naracoorte Community News

Naracoorte High School’s Agricultural Studies students and staff had a busy show season competing at both the Royal Adelaide Show and Royal Melbourne Show in September.

The dedicated teams trained once a week after school and were involved in the whole process, from choosing the animals on farm, to training them to lead and feeding daily.

This year the school entered six steers and two pens of three wethers in the Royal Adelaide Show, with over 20 students attending.

For the first time in the school’s history, three steers and steers students also attended the Royal Melbourne Show. After over six months of training, the students were keen to put their skills to the test, and have their animals judged.

Agriculture teacher, Emma Phillips said the sheep team worked hard all year with several special guests attending trainings to help the team build their skills.

“Thanks to Amanda Lock, Steph Brooker-Jones and Brad Davies for sharing your knowledge with our students,” Ms Phillips said.

“The wethers presented very well at the show, and we had some promising results from the wool section. The students also competed in the junior judging competitions throughout the day on Thursday, with Lucy Lock in the fleece judging.”

This year’s team consisted of many first-time competitors, some of whom attended the Sheep Expo earlier in the year.

“They gained valuable experience during the week whilst at the show and on the bus trip home were already talking about the team for next year and excited to build their skills further,” Ms Phillips said.

Steers

This year, presenting steers was a feature of the Royal Adelaide Show, with over 30 schools and 250 steers competing for the championship. Naracoorte High students represented the school with pride, and had great success returning with several ribbons in both the hook and hoof competition.

The team also had excellent success as individuals with Eliza and James Bull both receiving fourth in their SAYBB handler’s classes. Alex Charlick was selected from over 200 students to compete in the Urrbrae Handlers Competition.

The team also received second place in the Most Professional School Award from over 30 schools. All steers were pulled into the front line on judging day, with a second for NHS Time-To-Shine, third for NHS Todays-the-Day, and a fourth for NHS Top Gun.

These cattle then went on to be awarded ribbons in the hook competition also. NHS Top Gus bred by JB Angus was awarded second Best Angus Carcase and NHS Time-To-Shine was part of the winning team for the TFI Cup.

The biggest honour for the steer team was winning the prestigious inaugural Princess Royal Station Prize Premier School Award. This award is based on both the performance of the steers and also how the students performed as a team including display, teamwork, grand parade and attitude.

“Winning this award is an absolute credit to the team,” Ms Phillips said.

Royal Melbourne Show

Attending the Royal Melbourne Show was an exciting opportunity for the students, who went in as underdogs coming up against some very well-known agricultural colleges from across Victoria and New South Wales.

“Every night the students were out in the ring practicing leading and building their skills ahead of competition day,” Ms Phillips said.

“Whilst our steers all received ribbons, the highlight of the show was the outstanding showmanship displayed by all the students with them all being recognised in their heats for the Parader’s Competition from over 160 students competing.”

“In the Intermediate Handlers class, Eliza placed sixth, Xavier came third and Amelia came first. In the Senior handlers, Jacob finished second, as did Matilda and Hamish came first. In the Championship class, the Intermediate Champion Handler was awarded to Amelia Frick and the Reserve Senior Handler was Hamish McLachlan. These results are a testament to the students working tirelessly to build their knowledge and skills.”

Ms Phillips said these opportunities would not be possible without the generosity and support of the steer breeders including Bottlesford Murray Grey and Angus, Days Whiteface, JB Angus, Limek Limousins, Phillips Cattle Company and Spence’s Show Steers..

Also thank you to our major sponsors PPHS and Teys Naracoorte, Farm Finance Co, Bull Bros and other sponsors TFI and Castec Naracoorte.

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.