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Thursday, 3 September 2009

Students from the University of Adelaide are hoping to repeat their success at the Royal Adelaide Show, this year entering four steers into competition.

The University will have an even bigger presence at this year's Show, with staff and students helping to promote the uni's range of Science degree programs - including Agricultural Science, Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary studies.

Research that makes an enormous contribution to Australia's agricultural industry will also be on display.

Bolstered by their Grand Champion Steer prize in 2008, the University's students have again entered steers into the Show's led steer competition. The 24 students are studying Agriculture, Animal Science and Pre-Vet.

"Last year the students were rewarded for their efforts with the Grand Champion prize," says lecturer in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Darren Koopman.

"This year we have even more students involved, with 24 students who have been preparing four steers for competition since April.

"The project has given students an opportunity to learn animal husbandry, practise the theory from our course, develop skills as agriculturalists and liaise with industry. This will be invaluable experience for them by the time they complete their studies.

"Because of last year's success, industry has become increasingly aware of the students' efforts. This year they have received $9000 worth of sponsorship, with Compass Feeds again coming on board as major sponsor and providing feed for the animals," Mr Koopman says.

Students involved in the led steer competition will also be among those helping to promote Science studies at the University of Adelaide.

The Faculty of Sciences will have a booth in the Golden Grains Pavilion and will be joined by colleagues from the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) and the Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre.