Scots PCG College students score top spot in 2021 Ekka comp

Scots PGC students have proven their potential as future stars of the agricultural sector by taking out top spot in a major division at this year’s Ekka cattle competition.

A group of Warwick students have cemented their place as some of the region’s future agricultural leaders after taking out the top spot in a prestigious competition.

The Scots PCG College Cattle Club were awarded first place in the King Street Junior Champion Led Steer Carcass division in the competition at the Ekka earlier this month.

The winning carcass was one of five entered by the school in the 2021 contest, and earned Scots $400 in prize money.

Cattle Club co-ordinator and agriculture teacher Peter Collett said the animal was judged by how it rated against certain market specifications such as fat depth, meat colour, and meat yield.

The prized steer crowned the King Street Junior Champion Led Steer Carcass. Photo: Scots PGC College

Mr Collett said his students were ecstatic at their achievement.

“It’s fantastic for both the college and the students to take out a win at the Ekka. It’s a great reward for all the time and effort that goes into preparing the cattle for these types of events,” he said.

The Cattle Club provides an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the world of cattle showing, learning new skills such as grooming to parading cattle under expert guidance.

“Most competitions we compete in involve a lot of hands-on preparation in quietening the animal and training it to lead around the show ring,” Mr Collett said.

“This takes weeks and months for the students, who are learning the fundamentals of parading and judging themselves.”

The Ekka is one of the largest events for schools to show their cattle in, providing the Scots Cattle Club students with an opportunity to test their skills in a competition environment.

Mr Collett said achieving success at the Ekka affirmed the school’s current selection and preparation process of which cattle to enter.

“The Ekka is the pinnacle event of the year for the Cattle Club as they get to showcase the skills and technique they’ve worked on mastering throughout the year,” Mr Collett said.

“It also gives our students a great boost in confidence that they’re part of an award-winning team.

“We also had fantastic results throughout the year at regional shows and events like Farm Fest, so it’s wonderful to close out the year with another win at a significant level.”

Mr Collett said the fantastic result also meant the animal sold at a higher auction value than previously expected.

The Cattle Club will enter their stud in the Elders Hoof and Hook competition held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds on September 6 and 7.