Students from NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's (DPIRD) Tocal College have demonstrated their skills and enthusiasm for the beef industry at the 2025 Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza (UHBB), the largest youth beef cattle event of its kind in Australia.
Nineteen Certificate III in Agriculture students travelled to White Park, Scone, with 12 Tocal-bred Brangus steers and heifers to compete in the highly regarded carcase competition.
This year's event drew close to 480 entries and more than 700 participants in educational activities, highlighting the strength and depth of youth engagement in the beef sector.
NSW DPIRD Tocal Advisory Office Emorfia Cutler said Tocal students achieved outstanding results across several categories.
"In the Led Heavy Middleweight class, steer "Tocal McFlurry" placed third. In the Unled section, "Tocal Happy Meal" was named Reserve Champion Light Middleweight. In the Heavy Middleweight section, "Tocal Hamburglar" was awarded Reserve Champion, with "Tocal Chicken Burger" placing third," Ms Cutler said.
"Tocal also excelled in the Junior Judging and Parading competitions. Jasper Anderson placed first in Junior Judging, followed by Keeley Moore (2nd), Kasey Crebert (3rd), and Chloe Riley (4th).
"In Junior Parading, Jasper Anderson, Felicity Carrol and Keeley Moore all placed first, with Jasper named Tertiary Champion. Other notable results included Kasey Crebert (2nd), Marshall Pereira and Isabelle Delafontaine (3rd), Chloe Riley (4th), Oliver Lacey (5th), and Highly Commended awards for Chloe West and Kalista Cone."
Students also participated in the ICMJ Meat Judging competition at JBS Abattoir, gaining valuable experience in carcase assessment and meat cut identification.
Mr Cutler said the event was a valuable learning experience for students.
"The Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza provides our students with a unique opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting, connect with industry professionals, and gain insights into the full spectrum of beef production," Mr Cutler said.
"Our students worked incredibly hard throughout the year to prepare for this event, and their results reflect their dedication and teamwork. We're proud of the way they represented Tocal College."
Preparation for the UHBB is embedded in both Certificate III and IV programs. Certificate IV students focus on livestock nutrition, developing and managing feed rations, and mentoring Certificate III students in cattle handling and show preparation.
Steers are selected from Tocal's self-replacing Brangus herd, with students involved in all aspects of herd management including calf marking, drafting, animal health, AI sire selection, and breeding objectives.
The UHBB continues to be a highlight of the academic year, offering students a comprehensive learning experience across the beef supply chain.
