Show focus for Gladstone High

Ag teacher Dean Humphries said the school was registered as a stud in its own right.

"A few local farmers buy rams from us and use them for their cross-breeding programs," he said.

This year, the school showed two ewes and two rams.

The winning novice ram was 100.5 kilograms at 13 months of age with a 11- millimetre fat score and 36mm eye muscle depth.

The school has used genetics from Trevor and Judy James, Coolawang stud, Mundulla.

"A fair bit of effort goes into getting the sheep ready for the show," Mr Humphries said.

"The students have to keep them clean, feed them intensively and groom them."

Gladstone High also takes part in the meat sheep judging - Merinos, Boer goats and steers - and work at the show's Learning Centre.

Mr Humphries said there was always a lot of interest among the students taking part, but it was just a shame it competed with football and netball finals.

* Full report in Stock Journal, September 11, 2014 issue.