Cunderdin rules Challenge
Students from the WA College of Agriculture — Cunderdin took the overall win at the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge competition at Willyung Farm in Albany on March 24.
The competition brought 100 students, representing six schools, to the Willyung Farm feedlot, where industry experts gave talks on related topics including understanding the carcase, stock handling, finance, and environmental subjects such as phosphorous and carbon.
WA College of Agriculture — Cunderdin cattle technical officer Kylie Iles said it was an exciting bus trip back to Cunderdin after her students scored a first-ever victory for the school, claiming the overall Schools Challenge title.
“We are already planning next year, which will be the school’s seventh participation, as we have to return a very special and highly prized trophy,” she said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“I was very proud of the students. They retained information to perform brilliantly in the individual competitions.”
Cunderdin students led the way in the finance sector, with William Lethlean awarded a first-place ribbon, while Oliver McLeary was head of the class in the all-topics competition.
Ms Iles said she selected a team of students that were enthusiastic about cattle. “We run 52 head of mainly commercial Angus in our self-replacing herd, which supplies calves into the school’s butcher shop,” she said.
Cunderdin’s student team scored 21 points for overall bragging rights, three points above the runner-up team from WA College of Agriculture — Denmark.
Denmark’s cattle technical officer Kevin Marshall said his students attended the Challenge field day on March 23 to prep for the Schools Challenge the next day.
“We entered two teams of students, with team one placing second and team two taking fourth place,” he said.
“Denmark has performed well in the past, winning the overall title in 2019.”
Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Challenge president Jarrod Carroll said the competition was designed to enhance the WA beef industry through enthusiastic and positive engagement with stakeholders throughout the beef value chain.
“It provides opportunities, particularly to participating students to learn and grow together,” he said.
“The Schools Challenge provides support and encouragement to students and youth in agriculture in all facets of the supply chain of the beef industry.”
Mr Carroll said students were given the opportunity to network with corporate identities and farm gate producers.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails