Beef Cattle Handling School

The 2023 Beef Cattle School will be held on the 19th -21st of May, 2023.

The Malanda Show Society wishes to invite local schools and any independent students (high school students and adults) to express their interest in attending our school schedule to be hosted on the 19-21 of May, 2023.

Registration forms available to download: Malanda Show Society Beef Cattle Handling School 2023

 2023 Recap

The Malanda Showgrounds was a hive of activity across the weekend with the Malanda Show Society hosting the 2023 RABOBANK Beef Cattle Handling and Judging School.   Record attendance of 120 students from across North Queensland registered for the annual camp and enjoyed a jam-packed weekend.

The Cattle Handling and Judging School aims to educate participants on both basic and more advanced cattle handling and judging skills in preparation for the up-and-coming Agricultural Show circuit here in North Queensland.

Guest presenters Julie and Travis Pocock Iseppi from Ellendale Simmentals at Thornton in Southern Queensland, along with Andrew Meara Toowoomba based Elders Stud Stock Agent were invited to lecture at this year’s camp.   These three professional industry representatives were also supported by local exhibitors and education staff to deliver the three-day program.

Guest presenters lectured the students on some key factors including ring craft and dress, parading and judging, knot tying and preparation of the animals including washing, grooming and clipping. Travis has a hoof trimming business and is a butcher by trade and we thank him for offering his expertise.   The course content also included information on prime cattle with reference to market suitability.  Students were lectured on terminology of commercial cattle judging and were then given an opportunity to speak and judge on a pen of animals.

Students from Malanda, Atherton, Innisfail, All Souls St Gabriels, Columba Catholic College, Blackheath & Thornburgh College and Calvary Christian College, along with a group of independent participants, competed for a Camp Trophy for the winning overall group. The competition was extremely close again this year and reigning champions All Souls St Gabriels School in Charters Towers took home the prize for the third year in a row.

The competition was a close contest with hometown Malanda coming closely in second place followed by Columba Catholic College and Atherton State High School tied in third. We must commend the school staff and parents who gave their time to bring these well-mannered and eager students to this year’s school.

The event culminated on Sunday with a Paraders Competition and students were presented with awards and acknowledgements for their efforts. Judge Julie Pocock-Iseppi had a busy morning judging and providing feedback to the eager paraders.   The Jenny Williams Overall Champion Parade was presented for a third consecutive year to Maland local Naomi Godfrey.

Malanda truly has a community spirit second to none.  The Malanda Show Society is sincerely grateful for the support from all sponsors and volunteers who gave their time so generously.   We thank all involved who travelled from near and far and volunteer their time to create this experienced for the next generation of cattle men and women. Cleaning, preparing, and restoring the showground facilities for this event is no easy feat and we thank everyone who was able to assist.

The success of the Cattle Handling and Judging School relies on the support of local and invited volunteers and business willing to get involved with financial and in-kind support.

2022 Recap

The Malanda Showgrounds was a hive of activity across the weekend, and it was wonderful to see. The Malanda Show Society hosted the 2022 Annual Beef Cattle Handling School on May 20-22nd.  86 students from across North Queensland registered for the annual camp and enjoyed a jam-packed weekend. The Cattle Handling and Judging School aims to educate participants on both basic and more advanced cattle handling and judging skills in preparation for the up-and-coming Agricultural Show circuit here in North Queensland.
Guest judge Tammie Robinson, along with locals Mo and Charleene Pedersen and Kellie Williams, lectured the students on some key factors including ring craft and dress, parading and judging, knot tying and preparation of the animals including washing, grooming and clipping. Tableland Vet Angus also gave his time to educate students on breeding options and bull evaluation. Tim McGrath also presented a seminar about low stress livestock management.
Students from Malanda, Atherton, Innisfail, All Souls and Columba Catholic College schools, along with a group of independent participants, competed for a Camp Trophy for the winning overall group. The competition was extremely close this year and reigning champions All Souls St Gabriels School in Charters Towers took home the prize. Atherton came closely in second place followed by the hometown team Malanda High School.
The Jenny Williams Overall Champion Parade was presented for a second consecutive time to Malanda local Naomi Godfrey.

Tammie Robinson and Champion Parader Naomi Godfrey. Photo credit Hide and Horns Photography

We must commend the school staff and parents who gave their time to bring these well-mannered and eager students to this year’s school. To our very valued and hard-working kitchen staff we cannot thank you all enough for your willingness to help. The Malanda Show Society is sincerely grateful for the support from all sponsors and volunteers who gave their time so generously for the 2022 Beef Cattle Handling School.
  • Tammie Robinson
  • Mo and Charleene Pedersen – Fassifern Limousin and Droughtmaster Stud
  • Kellie Williams – Kel-lee Droughtmaster Stud
  • Limitless Show Supplies
  • Malanda Beef Plan Group
  • Tableland Veterinary Services
  • Noel & Kerry Godfrey- Godfrey Livestock Transport
  • Petersen Family- P4K Livestock Cartage
  • Dairy Farmers – Bega
  • Karen & Billy Courtney
  • Kathy & Les Plath
  • Malanda Rural Supplies
  • Cherrie Davis
  • Russell and Alyssa Kidd – Maple Downs Murray Greys
  • Carl and Dianne Grandelis
  • Tim McGrath – Low Stress Livestock Management
  • Colleen and Peter McLucas
  • Droughtmaster Society
  • Hide and Horns Photography
This year’s presentations concluded with a very special mention to a gentleman who continues to support the Malanda Show Society working tirelessly behind the scenes to make things great. Mr Les Binnie received a well-deserved Life Membership to the Malanda Show Society to acknowledge all the tireless work.

2018 Article

The 2018, 17th Annual Beef Cattle Handling School coordinated by the Malanda Agricultural, Pastoral and Industrial Society was once again a huge success.  Over 90 students from across North Queensland turned out amidst the notorious Malanda drizzle and cold to enjoy a jam packed weekend.  The Cattle Handling and Judging School aims to educate participants on both basic and more advanced cattle handling and judging skills in preparation for the up and coming Agricultural Show circuit here in North Queensland.

Guest judge Ben Hill from Miles, along with locals Mo and Charleene Pedersen and Kellie Williams, lectured the students on some key factors including ring craft and dress, parading and judging, knot tying and preparation of the animals including washing, grooming and clipping.  Tableland Vet Ryan Cockrem also gave his time to educate students on breeding options and bull evaluation.

Students from Malanda, Atherton, Tully, Innisfail and Ravenshoe schools, along with a group of independent participants, competed for a Camp Trophy for the winning overall group.  The competition was extre

mely close this year and it had been a long awaited win for the students from Malanda High School.  Atherton came closely in second place followed by the independent students who were so proud to have received a placing this year.

We must commend the school staff and parents who gave their time to bring these well-mannered and eager students to this year’s school.  To our very valued and hard-working kitchen staff we cannot thank you all enough for your willingness to help.  The Malanda Show Society is sincerely grateful for the support from all sponsors and volunteers who gave their time so generously for the 2018 Beef Cattle Handling School.

  • Malanda Beef Plan Group
  • Tableland Veterinary Services – Ryan Cockrem
  • Chris & Gerry Weeden
  • Mark Stansby from Advanced Rural
  • Noel & Kerry Godfrey- Godfrey Livestock Transport
  • Petersen Family- P4K Livestock Cartage
  • Dairy Farmers
  • Karen & Billy Courtney
  • Elders Tablelands Insurance and Real Estate
  • Elders Rural Mareeba
  • Kathy & Les Plath
  • Bendigo Bank Malanda
  • Carl & Diane Grandelis
  • Kellie Williams and Russell Kidd- Kel-Lee Droughtmaster Stud
  • Amanda Hunter and Alyssa McNamara – Young Farmers Challenge.
  • Malanda Rural Supplies
  • Cassie and Brad- Kenny Road Quarry

This year’s presentations kicked off with a very special mention to a gentleman who was instrumental in beginning the Beef Cattle School seventeen years ago.  Mr Barry Cockrem received a well-deserved Life Membership to the Malanda Show Society to acknowledge all the tireless work and time he’d given to the society in previous years.  Commemoration was also made to Barry’s daughter, the late Jenny Williams, who was a previous co-ordinator of the Beef Cattle School and also past secretary of the Show Society.  Jenny’s daughters, Kellie and Amy Williams along with their father Jeff and Russell Kidd (Kellie’s partner), presented Sasha Burns with a Memorial Trophy in honour of Jenny that will perpetually be awarded to the Overall Champion of the Parading Class.