THEY are taking eight head of steer, their largest entry yet and what is considered a "very competitive team."
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The Wingham High School Show Team will tomorrow (Thursday) head to Scone to compete in the three-day Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza.
They will be up against 350 head of cattle but the team is quietly confident. They have practiced hard and have bred many of the animals themselves.
Teacher Charlie Cassels will travel with the team and said there are a lot of educational opportunities for the children at Scone. With some of the students wishing to pursue a career in the meat industry, the experience is invaluable.
Year 10 student Victoria Lee said one of the events she is most hoping to do well in is the junior Australian intercollegiate meat judging competition.
Students assess the meat and identify the different cuts. Students hope their assessment matches that of the judges, "fingers crossed," said Victoria.
As well as breeding their own cattle, the school has been fortunate to receive donations.
One such animal is 572 kg Roma Park "Hades," kindly donated by Robert and Marilyn Bulley of Roma Park Limousins at Langley Vale.
Wingham Beef Exports has also been very supportive of the team and Charlie would like to make special mention of this.
With all eyes on the 10 youngsters, a big win at Scone would be the icing on the cake. Only recently the team entered the Taree Show were their cattle won first, second, third and champion. Taking out top honours locally has no doubt boosted their confidence and Charlie said that the ultimate at Scone would be to win a broad ribbon. "That's the big one," he said.
Trucking the cattle to Scone, the team will camp at the Scone showgrounds until Sunday. Except for ribbons, they will return empty handed - the animals are off to the Scone Abattoirs with results sent through to the school.
The eight animals represent a lot of investment for the school and they are hoping to get a good price. Raising them at the school's farm has used "tonnes and tonnes" of grain said Charlie. The return on investment will help pay for the grain and pay the partners of some of the jointly owned steer.
According to Charlie the first time students go through the cycle of raising an animal and then taking it to the abattoirs, they are often devastated.
But the students learn to grieve, Charlie said, and going through the life and death cycle with an animal helps children to learn valuable coping skills.
When they return from Scone work will continue on the steers destined for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
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