TRINITY College senior school agriculture teacher Aaron Fechner says the SA Junior Heifer Expo is a great learning experience, opening the eyes of students to potential careers in agriculture.
A number of the Gawler school's students have been involved previously in the expo in their July holidays and last year for the first time four students exhibited the school's led steers.
They won two novice handler ribbons and ribbons for three steers in the steer judging.
But as coordinator of the school's cattle club, Mr Fechner said it was much more than showing beef cattle, and recommended the expo to other schools.
"For youth wanting a career in the beef industry or not sure if they want a career in agriculture, it demonstrates a lot more than just the showing side of it," he said.
"It covers beef production and genetics as well as all the other auxiliary industries associated with beef."
He said the expo offered an extension of what many agriculture students could learn at school, having access to more hands-on experience and more qualified lecturers.
Last year's entrants were taking the lead in sharing their new-found skills with other students as they prepared this year's led steers for the Royal Adelaide Show in September.
"They really loved it and got a lot out of it," he said.
"It has been pivotal in them deciding their career path.
"Unfortunately it doesn't work out to take the steers this year but we have a few students interested in going if they can find animals and we will probably have a few students go down for the education day, which is outstanding."
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
