WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 5
Thursday, June 28, 2018 dalbyherald.com.au
BIG NUMBERS: Thousands converged at Kingsthorpe Park on the Warrego Highway for this year’s CRT FarmFest. PHOTOS: NICOLE MCDOUGALL
farming the state’s biggest livestock competitions, with exhibitors young and old demonstrating their steers and handling skills to a judging panel. The livestock competition consisted of a variety of categories that included the school and college, open, junior handlers, junior judges and stud cattle sections, with a large crowd on hand in support. Not only did it enable the industry’s next generation to learn important skills in relation to the handling of livestock and improve on their
public speaking capacity, it allowed them to mix with like-minded people. As innovation remains at the heart of the new era of farming in Australia, FarmFest will continue to play a large role in the promotion and distribution of the newest and inventive technology that this country has to offer for many years to come, all while continuing to recognise the already-established applications that have made farming and agriculture a pillar of the nation’s economy for centuries.
The livestock competition consisted of a variety of categories including the school and college, open, junior handlers, junior judges and stud cattle sections.
Wattle Grove Speckle Park Stud showcased their cattle at this year’s CRT FarmFest, including this impressive bull.
School livestock leads the way
NUMBER ONE: Mitchell Franz from Dalby State High School took out the blue ribbon in the Class One steer competition at this year’s FarmFest. PHOTO: NICOLE MCDOUGALL
BOASTING one of the best livestock competitions in the state, handlers and their livestock descended upon Kingsthorpe Park last week to compete at FarmFest. The livestock competition consisted of a variety of categories that included the school and college, open, junior handlers, junior judges and stud cattle sections, of which Dalby was well-represented. In the individual categories, Dalby State High School’s Lauren Kelly came away with the win in the Young Judges competition, while her schoolmate Mitchell Franz triumphed in the Class One Steer competition.
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Our students rose to the occasion and put their best foot forward...
— Sue Burrowes
They also achieved multiple podium finishes as Charlie Tucker, Dan Gray and Mitchell Franz took home second, third and fourth place in the Class Three competition respectively. As a collective, Dalby State High School was able to win
the cattle competition in the school and college section, much to the delight of lead instructor Sue Burrowes. “We always think we can do well leading up to the competition but you’re never sure how many people will turn up and what the level of participants will be,” Mrs Burrowes said. “In saying that, our students rose to the occasion and put their best foot forward and secured the win.” She alluded to the benefits livestock competitions such as FarmFest could have on a young person’s development. “It requires skill both in the handling and preparation of their cattle to show,” she said.
“It also improves the competitor’s public speaking skills as they are required to address the judges and audience, so it’s a well-rounded opportunity for young men and women to learn about the industry and mix with a lot of like-minded people.” Mrs Burrowes also took time to thank another member of the team who played a pivotal role in Dalby State High School’s success at FarmFest. “I would like to recognise my fellow lead instructor Travis Luscombe, who did a fantastic job helping organise this and getting each competitor prepared.”