Outstanding results at Sydney show

Brisbane Water Secondary College agricultural students have achieved outstanding successes at the 2016 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The college won Reserve Champion School Steer on the Hoof and Champion School Steer and Gold Medal on the Hook.

Preparations for the 2016 Royal Show Cattle Show Program commenced five months prior to the competition.

Cattle were provided from breeders throughout NSW.

The college's agriculture department presented eight cattle for competition at this year's show including seven pure bred Limousin steers, one purebred square meater and one trade steer.

Agriculture students from Years 7 to 12 have assisted in the countless hours of preparation and finally at the show.

There were 77 competitors including 32 schools and 45 breeders entered 199 cattle in the Open Steer Competition and 54 cattle in the Trade Hoof and Hook Classes presenting an outstanding elite field for competition.

The Brisbane Water Secondary College steer was bred from a cow owned by the school, purchased from Mr and Mrs Tomkins.

The cow resides at Lachlan Dale Limousins in Forbes, owned by Richard and Heather Cole, who provided the sire.

The college competed successfully achieving: Reserve Champion School Steer on the Hoof; Champion School Steer and Gold Medal Winner on the hoot led by Ellie Charlton, bred by the college and Mr and Ms Cole and sponsored by Umina Rotary Club.

The school also came first in the Lightweight Open steer class which continued to win first in the virtual taste test led by Lucy Fisher, bred by Dr Christine Wade of Silver Gully Square Meater Stud and sponsored by Woy Woy Rotary Club.

Other achievements included sixth in the Trade Steer led by Kynesha Stapleton bred by Mr and Mrs Kelleher and sponsored by Woy Woy Rotary Club.

The college gained a Silver Medal in the Heavyweight Open Steer division led by Jake Barrett and bred by Mr and Ms Scott, also sponsored by Woy Woy Rotary Club.

The college's agriculture farm manager, Mr Ron Unsworth, has been farm manager for over 20 years.

During this time he has developed his expertise to become a nationally-recognised expert at cattle finishing for competition.

His skills in breeding selection, growing on, training and preparing cattle for show have led the school to win champions at national level on numerous occasions for many years.

The college was supplied cattle to compete at the 2016 Royal Show by Mr and Ms Cole of Lachlan Dale Limousins in Forbes, Mr Gilchrist of Quirindi, Mr and Ms Alcorn of Greenacre Limousins Quirindi, Mr and Ms Kelleher of Mount Rivers, Dr Wade of Silver Gully Square Meaters, and Mr and Mrs Scott of Bathurst.

The agriculture students also raised and prepared three purebred Berkshire pigs to compete at the show.

The students attributed their outstanding results to genetics and confirmation combined with careful preparation.

Highlights included: Junior Champion Boar of all breeds; Junior Champion Sow of all breeds; and second Junior Berkshire Boar.

Nicholas Clunes won Reserve Champion in the NSW Pig Junior Judging.

Competing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show provided students with the opportunity to learn the professional expectations required at the national Royal level.

This, combined with long standing camaraderie enjoyed with St Johns College Dubbo and other regional schools develops a holistic outlook for their future goals, according to college staff.

Newsletter, 11 Apr 2016

Rob Radford, Rotary Club of Umina