22-23 November 2023

The 2023 Northern Schools Prime Steer Competition, held at Armidale Showground welcomed over 300 students from 30 schools across northern NSW for two days of education in judging, parading, public speaking and steer market specifications.

Upon judging the steer classes, Mr Ben Toll (Toll Cattle Dubbo) spoke extensively on each exhibit, capturing the attention of students learning about visual assessment of muscle and fat specifications as well as structure and type.

Tenterfield High School claimed the title of champion led steer, a limousin steer led by Lochlan Heidrich. Mr Toll commented “historically, a benchmark exhibit combining excellent carcase traits with sound phenotype, a very free moving well-muscled soft steer that has natural presence and commercially relevant attributes. Production efficiency is a key factor in any steer production enterprise, and I particularly admire the high yielding winning steer which maintained a high degree of structural integrity and displayed optimum fat coverage.”

Reserve champion steer was a 540kg Speckle Park steer, exhibited by Cultivate Ag/Ersyldene Speckle Park led by Hayden Carter.

The competition also featured a class for a number of school steers not yet fit for kill, to be taken onto further shows in 2024. Armidale Secondary College placed first in this class with a limousin steer bred by Lachlandale Limousins, Forbes.

Ella Saul (Cultivate Ag) was awarded Champion Parader in an intense final against first and second place winners from their respective age groups.

Reserve Champion Parader was presented to Rory Mcleod from Mclean High Show Team, the team which also snagged first place in the “best kept bed” category!

Students took to judging three groups of animals looking for “kill tomorrow” specifications and selected students spoke on these age groups. Amelia Webb (PLC Armidale) took out champion junior judge with 78 points out of a possible 85, assessed on her accuracy of observation, ability to compare animals, presentation, dress and public speaking ability.

The highest scoring carcase will be presented with a $500 credit towards the purchase of a steer or heifer at the Glen Innes Colin Say and Co Potential Show Steer Sale generously sponsored by The Downfall Limousins.

Without a number of sponsor this show would not have been possible, the committee would like to thank the following for their generous support; Angus Australia, Purkiss Rural, University of New England, Ray White Livestock Guyra & Armidale, Limousin Society Australia, Herefords Australia, Rydges Armidale, Lifestyle Timbers, Kelly’s Transport, Ramage Engineering, The Downfall Limousins, Stockyard Scarves, Armidale Secondary College, Armidale Rams, B & T Henshall Plumbing, NEGS Armidale and Norco Agri-Solutions Armidale.

Mr Toll also wished to thank Mark Fisher and Grace Collins (Armidale Secondary College) for their efforts in organising an excellent educational program as well as Deb Snaith (McIntyre High School) for organising the carcase competition, with results due to be released next week.