Orroroo Area School has returned to the Royal Adelaide sheep shed with a bang after a four-year hiatus, bringing the school wether competition's heaviest sheep with them.
Last exhibiting at the show in 2019, students were eager to get in the ring this year, according to teacher Julia Mayman, who said she was talked into returning to the show by the students.
From there, the school's team of three sheep was sourced from Moorundie Park, Gulnare, with six lambs housed at the school on a raised board and fed a mixed pellet, which was 16.1 per cent protein to fatten the sheep quickly.
Within the team was a standout wether that - when weighed at the start of the show - was tipped as the biggest in the competition.
"We weighed them as they came in, and the blokes at the scales were very surprised that he was 110 kilograms," Year 10 student Ashby Thomas said.
The team was able to secure first place in the best meat value class for the wether in addition to the second most valuable fleeces.
Fellow student Riley Ridsdale said the show gave the students a different perspective on the industry.
"There are so many experts here sharing their ideas and we've been able to learn and adjust just through meeting them," he said.
"It's given us a better look at the industry and our futures - I hope the school can bring another team back next year."
Katie Jackson
Journalist at Stock Journal. Born into a journo family in the state's South East, Katie made the move to the big smoke to join the team in early 2022 after seven years spent at various mastheads in the regions.
Journalist at Stock Journal. Born into a journo family in the state's South East, Katie made the move to the big smoke to join the team in early 2022 after seven years spent at various mastheads in the regions.
