The Upper Hunter may be gripped by one of the worse droughts on record but there was no doubting the quality of cattle gathered for the event with hundreds of school children also eager to showcase their animals and livestock handling talents.

In the led steer ring judge Greg Ball, Bowmans Creek near Singleton, had to work his way through 435 entries and as he said on numerous occasions during the judging it was no easy task given the outstanding animals paraded before him.

But it was his heavyweight champion a purebred Murray Grey bred by Wallawong Murray Greys, Gunnedah and exhibited by themselves, St Marys College and H Birchall that eventually walked away with the grand champion ribbon and the supreme title.“The steer might not be the biggest in the competition but he is packed full of meat has excellent fat cover and a large EMA ,” said Mr Ball.

In his final selection he pulled out the Murray Grey and his heavy middleweight champion for top honours. The ‘runner-up’ was exhibited by St Catherine’s Catholic College, Singleton and was a Speckle Park/Limousin x Limousin steer bred by Singleton local Allan Badior. Mr Badior bred the 2015 grand champion led steer also exhibited by St Catherine’s College. The school also exhibited the reserve light middleweight champion steer with a Pentire Angus bred entry and enjoyed an outstanding Beef Bonanza with their 10 entries all bringing homes ribbons.

Other successful broad ribbon winners included the lightweight shown by Chris Law, Qurindi with his Limousin x Hereford and St Josephs Aberdeen exhibited the champion light middle weight steer. The reserve champion heavy middleweight was another Limousin cross entry bought as a calf from Maitland saleyards by Caitlin Porter, Merriwa. Champion heifer was Warraberry Freda N135 shown by Lachlan Spry, Tamworth.

Major sponsor of the three day event is Waverley Station Scone.   More photos page 5.