Bundaberg Christian College’s top Hoof n Hook students joined the action at Beef Week 2024, held from 5-11 May in Rockhampton.

Eight of the College’s most skilled and experienced Hoof n Hook team members travelled to participate in the significant industry event, which is held every three years and attracts over 100,000 visitors.

Speaking from Beef Week 2024, Hoof n Hook Coordinator and BCC teacher Mrs Angela Gees said that for BCC students, attending Beef Week 2024 was the experience of a lifetime.

“This event gives our students an exceptional view of all things relating to the beef cattle industry,” she said.

“In the cattle handling, we have been thrilled that most of our students have progressed to the final heats in their respective age groups,” she said.

The week long competivie events for BCC and our students started with the Limousin stud cattle championship, Year 11 student Olivia Mason led Oakwood MiMi to win first and then champion in her heifer class. Year 12 student Grace Hughes led Oakwood Prophet to win fourth place in his Bull class, and Year 12 student Gabriel Plowman led Oakwood Mega Man to place fifth.

In the Beef Led Steers competition, both BCC steers placed second in their respective classes. BCC Knucklehead was led by Year 10 student Amity Nimmo and BCC Sole Option was led by Gabriel Plowman.

The biggest highlight of our time at Beef 2024 would have to be the events of Thursday.

This was when Oakwood Cutright, a Limousin Bull, defeated all other breeds to win the Supreme Interbreed Male Champion at Beef 2024. Cutright was led by BCC's Farm Manager, Paul Forman, while the rest of the team watched eagerly from the sidelines. The elation and joy that everyone felt was indescribable once we heard that Cutright was announced as the winner.

While Cutright now has a new owner, he was bred by Paul and Kelli Forman. Team BCC had the privilege of working with Cutright as a calf on the Ag Farm, assisting in breaking him in, grooming and leading him at local shows. Everyone loves Cutright and it was wonderful to have him back with us to care and prepare him for the week of Beef 2024. Our Team has played a small role in making history, as this is the first time that the Limousin breed has won the supreme champion title in the time that Beef Australia has been running.

BCC Principal Paul Thompson said that the school community was incredibly proud of the team’s achievements and was also thrilled to see how those in the wider community were giving support to students.

“It’s encouraging to see how others are recognising the skill and potential of our students and we’re thankful to NGS Super who have generously supported our team to make this experience possible for our students,” he said.

We are also incredibly humbled by the praises received from another Beef Stud Cattle Exhibitor, Sowden Cattle. The owner, Shannon Sowden said, (see photo)

We also received feedback from other people at Beef (such as school teachers and cattle stewards) who commented that they observed the team showing great initiative and work ethic.

The Junior Livestock Judging competition for school students took place on Friday. Approximately 460 students entered the competition, making the event highly competitive. One of our Hoof n Hook Captains, Grace Hughes, was selected as one of the Top 10 competitors in the 17 years age category. While she did not place in the final top 5, Grace spoke exceptionally well, receiving very positive feedback from the Over-Judge. The owner of the cattle that her group had to judge also approached Grace to say that she did an excellent job when delivering her judgment.

Paul and I are very proud of the team and of the hard work that they put in over the last week. They represented BCC in an outstanding manner, demonstrating all four values of Respect, Integrity, Servanthood and Excellence each day. We are sure that the memories of Beef 2024 will last a lifetime.