AFTER so many shows had been called off agriculture students from six South East schools were rapt to finally get their day in the show ring last Thursday at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds.
Even though the Mount Gambier Show was cancelled, show president and Allendale East Area School agriculture coordinator Danielle Tulak was determined the led steer competition would go on- and it did.
Allendale East Area School exhibited the grand champion steer, Six Creeks Gazza,- an Angus-Simmental-Limousin, bred by Brad Creek.
Judge and Spence Dix & Co director Jono Spence said the 694 kilogram steer, which had been at the school since March, had a "beautiful balance of red meat yield and finish".
"It had that package of muscle, softness and cover and was really good through the primals," he said.
Also from the heavy weight section, a 662kg Angus steer from Grant High School, Claremont Blacks Quent was given the nod for reserve.
"I loved his soundness and squareness and he had plenty of shape for a pure British breed," Mr Spence said.
The best presented steer was Randal Park Nigel exhibited by Kingston Community School.
Mrs Tulak thanked the participating schools for persevering with their steers and training them to lead in such an uncertain year.
"Everyone was social distancing but the mood was great among everyone and the (high) level of presentation of the 16 steers was a credit to every school," she said.
She said the led steer competition was a great way to build leadership skills and resilience among the students and she didn't want them to miss this opportunity due to COVID-19.
"For some kids it is their only connection to agriculture, many of my kids are not off a farm and without it they may not have continued on with ag next year," she said.
The steers were processed at Teys Australia's Naracoorte abattoir with the on hook winners to be announced soon.
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