Students to compete in cattle show

CATTLE ON SHOW: Allendale East Area School Year 8 students Montanna Millard and Lyndal Feast get ready to take part in the Mount Gambier Spring Show.

HIGH school students from across the region will pull on their gumboots later this month as they take part in the led steer competition at the Mount Gambier Show.

Taking care of the steers for the past six months, the students from Allendale East, Coomandook and Lucindale area schools, Naracoorte and Grant high schools and Kingston Community School,

along with two Adelaide-based schools, are now in the final stages of preparation before taking to the arena.

Allendale East Area School teacher and show society vice president Danielle Tulak said she was pleased to see entries increased for this year’s event.

“Urrbrae Agricultural High School is taking part for the first time this year, which is very exciting – the more schools, the better,” she said.

The steer will be judged on their hoof, with students also taking part in a handling competition, with novice, champion and experienced sections.

“During this competition, they will be judged on their relationship with the animal and how well they are presented,” Ms Tulak said.

“Many of the students from a number of the local schools also took part at the Royal Adelaide Show, so this is a great chance for those who were not able to go to get involved.

“It is an excellent learning experience and a little less daunting than the bigger city shows.”

Once judged in the arena, the steers will be processed and judged at this years Southern Grassfed Classic.

“It is a huge competition with two students from each school sponsored to go along to the presentation,” Ms Tulak said.

“Here they can see just how well the steer did overall and what can be improved on next year.”

Hoof judging and handling competitions will take place prior to the show on October 19 from 10.30am.