Murdoch University’s veterinary and animal science students have been awarded first prize across four livestock categories at this year’s Perth Royal show.

Blue ribbons were awarded for the categories of:

1. Grand Champion Steer
2. Champion Lightweight Steer
3. Champion Medium Weight Steer
4. Reserve Champion Medium Weight Steer

The Perth Royal Show cattle competition is one of the longest-standing contests of the show, recognising the best of WA cattle breeding. The quality of the animals on show is high and competition is fierce.

This year, Murdoch University entered 16 of its steers, which were hand-raised and prepared by 35 veterinary and animal science students and staff at each of the three farms run by the University at South Street, Mundijong and Mardella.

Livestock Manager Kim Thomas said this was one of the University’s most successful years at the show since it began entering animals in 2003.

“The participating students this year did a terrific job, each volunteering about 50 hours of their time to raise the animals; feeding and cleaning them outside of their related fields of study in the months ahead of show week,” he said.

In the competition, cattle are placed in their class with the judges taking into account all the strengths and weaknesses of each animal. The judges then explain the reasoning behind their decisions when awarding prizes.

“This year, I think our animals were calm and quiet, and were really clean and well-presented, which helped them to stand out to the judges and take out first place.”

The four prize-winning steers have since been purchased. The 14-month-old Murray Grey Grand Champion Steer fetched $4,800 - four times the average amount for his breed.

Second year veterinary science student Rebecca Wescombe, an international student from Alaska, was assigned responsibility to prepare the impressive steer, known as ‘Norman’ for competition.

“Helping to get Norman ready for the cattle competition gave me the opportunity to work hands-on with a large animal, which was a new experience for me,” she said.

“I was so nervous during the judging, but we had prepared him to be comfortable around people and as a result he performed really well on the day.

“The whole experience was a lot of fun, it was great to be able to meet and work with other students who weren’t in the same classes as me - I’m already looking forward to participating in next year’s show and I'm encouraging my friends to do it too.”  

Murdoch University Chancellor David Flanagan, Vice Chancellor Eeva Leinonen and Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, David Morrison visited the cattle yard at the showgrounds to congratulate the students for their prize-winning efforts and teamwork.

Murdoch has also entered two of its dairy cattle for judging in the competition this Friday.