With the Queensland Agricultural Show circuit in full swing, North Queensland students have the opportunity to brush up on their cattle handling skills before entering the main ring at this year’s key show events.

The Calvary Christian College Agriculture Centre is coordinating a cattle handling and judging school at the Townsville Showgrounds from 15th to 18th May. Students from Charters Towers, Ingham, Home Hill and Townsville have already registered to learn about preparing cattle for competitions, with an invitation extended to other schools in the area to get involved.

The course will cover training/breaking, feeding, grooming, washing, clipping, parading, ringcraft and following judges’/stewards’ instructions. Students will also undertake public speaking tuition and instruction on personal grooming and presentation.

Cattle industry representatives will also conduct workshops on animal soundness, conformation, animal health and wellbeing. The idea for the cattle handling school comes off the back of the growing popularity of high school Cattle Clubs.

Calvary Christian College student and Cattle Show Team Vice-Captain, Jorja Kerr, said being in a Cattle Club had been an amazing experience.

“Learning how to lead, tie up, clean, wash cattle, presenting cattle, how to switch leads over and how to judge cattle; it's not an easy thing to learn straight away,” she said.

“But over time going to shows and other people helping us, it has now become a natural thing to know what to do, as well the most important thing about being in the cattle show team is teamwork, not only the teammates but with the cattle as well.”

Calvary Christian College Agricultural Coordinator Murray Hair said the Cattle Club facilitates and promotes “country to city”, allowing students with no farming or agricultural background to learn about cattle handling and judging.

“Students travel to local and regional shows to compete in parading and judging competitions forming a strong bond with each other and the cattle they parade,” Mr Hair said.

The course has already received backing and sponsorship from several businesses including Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers, Elders Townsville, Mangiamo Italian Food Truck, Tropical Vets, Mt Emu Pastoral Company, Lanskeys Saddlery, Carey Group, Booth Rural and Cambil Brahmans.