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WA College of Agriculture - Denmark scoop Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge in triumphant return

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Bob GarnantCountryman
Back in the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate School's Challenge classroom, after a two year hiatus from COVID restrictions, students from five agriculture schools threw their caps in the air as a symbolic gesture of their learing experience.
Camera IconBack in the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate School's Challenge classroom, after a two year hiatus from COVID restrictions, students from five agriculture schools threw their caps in the air as a symbolic gesture of their learing experience. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

WA College of Agriculture — Denmark students have taken the top prize in the first Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge competition to be held in two years, marking the school’s first win since 2019.

A group of eight Year 12 students with a love of cattle took the title after winning first place in five of the six competition sections at a special presentation at Willyung Farms in Albany on March 23.

The event was held on the second day of a two-day field day at Willyung Farms, which hosts the WA’s biggest commercial feedlotting competition the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Challenge each year.

More than 55 students from five schools took part in this year’s challenge — the first since 2021 — and tried their best to notch up points in the sections of animal health, welfare, feed nutrition, cattle handling, general knowledge and all topics.

Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on activities, heard presentations from industry professionals and were quizzed on their knowledge, with their performance and participation throughout all activities going towards their final scores.

The Denmark students seized the title from 2021 winners WA College of Agriculture — Cunderdin, after last year’s event was cancelled due to WA’s Level 2 COVID-19 restrictions which also mothballed last year’s Wagin Woolorama two weeks before.

WA College of Agriculture - Denmark won the team competition of the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Place Schools Challenge. Sharing in the victory celebration was students Yasmine Pages, 17, Ella Smith, 17, Shanei Lowe, 16, Denmark Ag farm manager Kevin Marshall, srudents Travis Freegard, 17, Jackson Conti, 17, Anna Rowe, 17, Lara Burrow, 17, and Dixie Wyatt, 17.
Camera IconWA College of Agriculture - Denmark won the team competition of the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Place Schools Challenge. Sharing in the victory celebration was students Yasmine Pages, 17, Ella Smith, 17, Shanei Lowe, 16, Denmark Ag farm manager Kevin Marshall, srudents Travis Freegard, 17, Jackson Conti, 17, Anna Rowe, 17, Lara Burrow, 17, and Dixie Wyatt, 17. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

It was the second time WA College of Agriculture — Denmark had won the prize after first winning in 2019.

Top of the class in their respective competitive sections were WA College of Agriculture - Denmark students Ayla McMaster, 16, Samantha Wimpenny, 16, Bree Skinner, 16, Anna Rowe, 17, Lara Burrow, 17, and WA College of Agriculture - Harvey student Georgia Buchanan, 17.
Camera IconTop of the class in their respective competitive sections were WA College of Agriculture - Denmark students Ayla McMaster, 16, Samantha Wimpenny, 16, Bree Skinner, 16, Anna Rowe, 17, Lara Burrow, 17, and WA College of Agriculture - Harvey student Georgia Buchanan, 17. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

The team included Yasmine Pages, 17, Ella Smith, 17, Shanei Lowe, 16, Travis Freegard, 17, Jackson Conti, 17, Anna Rowe, 17, Lara Burrow, 17, and Dixie Wyatt, 17.

Individual awards were also handed out to students, including Denmark students Ayla McMaster, 16, (feed nutrition), Samantha Wimpenny, 16, (all topics), Bree Skinner, 16, (general knowledge), Anna Rowe, 17, (cattle handling), Lara Burrow, 17, (health).

WA College of Agriculture — Harvey Georgia Buchanan, 17, was recognised for her knowledge of animal welfare.

WA College of Agriculture — Denmark farm manager Kevin Marshall attributed the students’ success to their enthusiastic participation in the school’s cattle club, which is held outside of school hours and teaches students valuable skills.

“They are willing club members and also take pride in participating at all the major cattle shows throughout WA,” he said.

Representing some of the top competitors in the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge was WA College of Agriculture - Denmark students Anna Rowe, 17, Samantha Wimpenny, 16, and Ayla McMaster, 16.
Camera IconRepresenting some of the top competitors in the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge was WA College of Agriculture - Denmark students Anna Rowe, 17, Samantha Wimpenny, 16, and Ayla McMaster, 16. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge coordinator Narelle Lyon said it was a great return to normalcy for the event now in its seventh year after being cancelled both in 2020 and 2022.

“We have missed the students dearly,” she said.

“Congratulations to all the competitors — we wish you all the best in your education and endeavours in agriculture.”

Back in the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate School's Challenge classroom, after a two year hiatus from COVID restrictions, students from five agriculture schools threw their caps in the air as a symbolic gesture of their learing experience.
Camera IconBack in the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate School's Challenge classroom, after a two year hiatus from COVID restrictions, students from five agriculture schools threw their caps in the air as a symbolic gesture of their learing experience. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

Ms Lyon said The Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge aimed to promote the agriculture industry and its many opportunities to youth and students of all ages.

“This event showcases careers and opportunities within the agriculture industry in regional areas of Australia,” she said.

“The Schools Challenge is an interschool competition that aims at Year 11 and 12 students, with teams of eight entering from each school or college.

““The Schools Challenge runs alongside the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Challenge feedlot competition in which cattle producer participants enter a team of two steers and one heifer.”

The Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Challenge feedlot competition winners will be announced later this year.

Taking in an enjoyable day at the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge at Willyung Farm in Albany, was WA College of Agriculture - Narrogin students Keira Painter, 17, Mia Osterhage, 16, and Mek Epworth, 17.
Camera IconTaking in an enjoyable day at the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Schools Challenge at Willyung Farm in Albany, was WA College of Agriculture - Narrogin students Keira Painter, 17, Mia Osterhage, 16, and Mek Epworth, 17. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

Last year’s competition was won by a team of students for the first time in the competition’s eight-year history, with the WA College of Agriculture — Harvey taking out the title.

The challenge starts in January with animals congregating at Mount Barker Regional Saleyards before being transported to the feedlot to begin their grain ration.

Cattle are fed for 70 to 85 days before being processed at Harvey Beef where the carcasses are MSA graded.

A full report on the feedlot challenge field day will be published in Countryman’s March 30 edition.

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