Ag News
New England Farming Futures
Students from O’Connor attended the University of New England Farming Futures Careers Fair in July. This day is presented for university and school students to network with prospective employers and with university staff to discuss future career paths.
Students were introduced to wool science by Dr Emma Doyle and were given advice on patterns of study for senior school and prospective courses at Tocal as well as getting a tour of the new university facilities.
After a BBQ lunch students spent time discussing prospective careers with industry representatives. Several students learned about a program run by Sun pork who are successfully employing Autistic young people in their business.
Students were judged the most engaged school and presented with a poultry teaching resource - which proved a challenge in the classroom!
Our thanks to the UNE students and staff for their support.
Brisbane EKKA
BRISBANE EXHIBITION SUCCESS
Year 9 student Chloe Gray (yr 9) spent 8 days caring for and exhibiting the animal on behalf of the school. The heifer was one of 1700 head of livestock on exhibition in Brisbane’s CBD through out the EKKA. We were awarded second in our class and the heifer performed very well all week.
Chloe also competed in the Young Judges and Junior handler competitions as well as assisting other stud exhibitors throughout the week. Congratulations on an outstanding effort Chloe.
Past student and farm assistant Tim Light had a very successful show exhibiting the Champion Red Poll Bull and Cow as well as winning reserve champion junior steer. Congratulations Tim.
Ekka Success
William Wood (yr 9) was the youngest heavy horse handler, rider and driver at EKKA and his horses were calm and focussed in all forms of competition. Congratulations Will.
Poultry Judging
Sam Bible (yr 9) competed in the Queensland Novice Poultry Judging at EKKA. He scored 94/100 and was placed 4th overall. A very commendable effort in adult competition.
Sam Bible
Sam Bible
Congratulations Sam.
Ag Quip
Students had a great day at Ag Quip on Wednesday with several students winning the property planning competition.
The bull was the Champion Devon Bull at Ekka Recently. Vix Lodestone
O'Connor takes prize for Farm Project.
For more than 20 years students from O’Connor Catholic College have been working with local farmers … and winning awards along the way.
This year the Year 10 team of Charlotte Wade, Lachlan Patricks, Brody Hoffman and Mitchell Jones have taken out the Northern Tablelands Schools Property Planning Competition, announced at Agquip.
High school agriculture students from across the Northern Tablelands were given the guidelines for the competition at a field day at “Waratah”, Guyra, in late March and had less than two months to come up with a plan for delivering sustainable change for the property.
O’Connor agriculture teacher, Janet Price, said the competition was “so crucial for kids” as it gave them an opportunity to be innovative, creative and was “something they can really get a hold of”.
Ms Price said the students tapped into the experience of local landcare services, including biosecurity, to come up with ways to improve farm productivity.
“They had to collect data, including maps, and get input from the owner,” she said.
“They then had to look at what to do to improve output and what funding was available.”
Ms Price said the competition was a great opportunity for students to learn more about agriculture and to look for careers in the field.
As for the future of this talented quartet, Charlotte is looking at a career as a stock and station agent, Mitchell is looking at the science side of agriculture, Brody is looking to put his electrical skills to good use and Lachlan is eyeing up a career in the army.
The story Armidale school takes prize for farm project first appeared in The Northern Daily Leader and than The Armidale Express .