Grand Champion Carcase goes to Grant High School

Grant High School in Mount Gambier, South Australia, have been an exceptionally dedicated exhibitor at the Melbourne Royal Show for over a decade. Their success in this year’s Melbourne Royal Beef Carcase Competition, however, truly stood out.

Seventeen students, under the guidance of teachers Scott Cram and Jo Fisher, crossed the border to participate in the Beef Carcase Competition, coming away with the prestigious title of Grand Champion Carcase. The winning entry, an Angus (AA) bred by Graham and Elizabeth Glascow, showcased the dedication and skill of the students and the support they received from local breeders.

“The steer that won was actually purchased at a discounted price from Graham and Elizabeth after they saw us showing cattle about four years ago,” explained Scott Cram.

“They were so impressed with the way we showed our cattle and the condition we brought them in that they actually approached us to see if we would be interested in showing their cattle.”

“The Glasgow family were over the moon when we won, they were ecstatic, and they’ve now invited the school to bring the trophies and sashes to their bull sale,” said Scott.

The school not only won Grand Champion Carcase, but also had much success in other sections.

“We were excited to win champion export steer on hoof and also champion school steer, but then to win two of the three carcase sections was out of this world really, you couldn’t have asked for more I don’t think,” said Scott.

Since starting to participate in the Melbourne Royal Show in 2010, Grant High School has remained dedicated to offering their students ample exposure to the industry. The Melbourne Royal Show serves as their primary catalyst for achieving this goal.

“It’s really the facilities that keep dragging us back,” explained Scott.

“The staff are always friendly and accommodating to us as they realise what an effort it is for us to make the trip down there,” he said.

The school invests upwards of $10,000 every year to take their students and the cattle to the Melbourne Royal Show, taking the time to drive the long journey across the border.

“The benefits to the students are invaluable,” said Scott.

“The skills they learn showing cattle, the work ethic they develop and the networking they do is just so beneficial to them.”

“A lot of our students are interested in going into the agricultural industry and many of them have, so to have a show like the Melbourne Royal Show, where they can develop some of those lifelong, industry-specific skills, is invaluable.”

Grant High School see the value of the Melbourne Royal Show as second to none, which is why they have made a point of encouraging neighbouring schools to travel with them to compete.

“I’ve been a bit of advocate for the Melbourne Royal Show, and we’ve now had about four other schools from South Australia jump on our coat-tails and come with us which has been great,” said Scott.

“Through this we’ve been able to build some great relationships with not only those schools, but with other schools from NSW and Victoria as well.”

Grant High School’s dedicated agricultural staff and passionate students serve as a testament to the success that can be achieved when educators and students share a commitment to nurturing skills in agriculture.