NUMBERS jumped for what has become an annual event as students from schools in the Mid North gets hands-on training in cattle handling.
Coordinator Daniel Ferme, Gum View Charolais, Crystal Brook, said the event, held the day before Crystal Brook Show, was a chance for students to put their theory into practice in the show ring before the Royal Adelaide Show at the end of the month.
The inaugural event, last year, had about 60 students, but numbers were up to 101 this year, with students from Booleroo Centre District School, St Marks College, Port Pirie, Gladstone High School, Kadina Memorial School, Kapunda High School, Clare High School, and even some individual entrants from Loxton.
“We’re trying to broaden these student’s knowledge before Adelaide Show,” Mr Ferme said.
“It’s to try and increase safety and give these kids a better chance of performing at Adelaide.”
Related reading: Cattle education day to become annual event
Mr Ferme said many students in the Mid North may not have had a chance to do much practical work in preparing or handling cattle before competing at Adelaide.
“It’s a good practice run because a lot of school students can’t take part in their local show because of sporting commitments, or for Clare and Kapunda, their show is after the Adelaide Show,” he said.
“They don’t get much chance to handle cattle before Adelaide.”
Mr Ferme said the one-day event went “right back to basics”.
Student Teneal Malycha, Red Hill, was there for the second year and said she had learned a lot during the day.
She said she was “really into cattle” and wanted to improve her skills.
Baileigh Lethbridge, St Marks College, Port Pirie, was there for the first time.
He has shown school steers before but said this was a good chance to get a refresher before competing again.
He said it was good to learn how to handle the animals.
“It gives us more confidence,” he said.
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
