Kids and Cattle Converge on Scone

MORE than 800 students from around the state and 380 head of cattle were in town this weekend for the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza.

Photos below…

According to Charles Mills, secretary of the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza, it is one of the biggest events in the country.

“Nationally it is definitely one of the biggest events, there are 68 schools here from all over the state, from Yass down south, Tullibigeal to the west and Inverell to the north and plenty of schools from the coast,” said Mr Mills.

“On Friday we had the New South Wales interschool meat judging competition, which was judged at JBS and there were about 158 kids participating in that,” he said.

“There were about 330 carcass animals which went through the ring yesterday and we’ll be killing them at JBS tomorrow and they’ll be judged on the carcass on Tuesday,” he said.

The schools steer challenge was started 11 years ago by Jim and Lynda MacCallum.

Waverley Station provides steers to schools to use as part of their agricultural program and Alexander Downs has donated feed to help fatten the animals.

The schools then prepare the steers for judging at the Beef Bonanza, giving all schools an even playing field.

“The children do a lot of educational workshops on the Friday and it is all about educating children about the beef industry and give them a way to enter the beef industry,” said Charles Mills.

“The event brings a lot of people to Scone for the weekend,” he said.

“On top of the schools competing there are also independent exhibitors who bring their kids which is great to see,” he said.

“And when you think about the number of parents who are here with all of the kids and cattle it brings more than 2,000 people to town, all of the motels are booked out and Coles and Woolies say it is one of their busiest weekends,” Charles Mills said.