Nine Territory students will be showing off their cattle handling and junior judging skills as they compete at Australia’s largest cattle industry expo in Rockhampton this week.

The students were selected to represent the Northern Territory at Beef Week 2018 after winning the Cattle Handling and Junior Judging classes at the Darwin and Katherine Shows last year, as part of the Department of Education’s Pastoral Futures Program. 

Bruce McEvoy, Department of Education Trainer Manager of Industry, Engagement and Employment Pathways, said the opportunity to participate at the expo will be a valuable experience and will see students’ complete additional units towards their Certificate III in Agriculture. 

“Beef Week 2018 brings together the best in the industry and only happens every three years, so this is a really exciting opportunity for our students who are representing the Territory from Katherine High School, Taminmin College and Centralian Senior College,” Mr McEvoy said. 

“Students will gain skills associated with working on a modern pastoral property and see them network with the world’s best young beef leaders.”

Throughout the week, the students will achieve first-hand practical experience demonstrating cattle handling skills at a national level and will gain exposure to the latest cattle equipment, genetics and career options.

“Beef Week attracts thousands of national and international industry experts, so this will be a lifetime opportunity for our students to establish relationships and network with potential future employers,” Mr McEvoy said.

“Students will benefit from this experience as it allows them to gain a broader insight into the agricultural industry and will encourage skill development as they move from school to adulthood.”

In preparation for the expo, the nine students trained their cattle as part of their Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in Rural Operations and Agriculture, in partnership with Department of Education, Taminmin College and Charles Darwin University.
 

Media contact: Jordan Raymond-Monro – 0401 119 215