WA College of Agriculture Morawa students receive hands-on farming experience at Perenjori Show

Students from the WA College of Agriculture in Morawa have had a hands-on learning experience at the Perenjori Show through the farm skills competition. The experience helped the students apply their knowledge learnt in the classroom to farming situations. Students were required to assess rams, wool and crops based on a variety of factors, with a panel of judges from the industry made up of Arradale Merino Stud’s Les Sutherland, Elders wool and livestock territory sales manager Brad Groves, and Independent Rural’s Chris Wilkinson. Morawa Agriculture College farm manager Dave O’Neill said the judges provided feedback in person, helping the students understand modern practices. “This competition was a wonderful opportunity for our students to apply what they learn at the college in the show arena,” he said. “We appreciate the effort that Ashley Sutherland, the show committee and judges go to in organising and supporting this event. “It’s a good lead-up to the Young Farmers Competition at the Northampton Show in a few weeks, followed by Farm Skills in Perth, which is held prior to the Royal Show.” The ram judging, which involved students assessing the male sheep on their appearance, was taken out by Louis Haeusler, with Louise Donnelly and Peter Chegwidden rounding out the top three. Keisha-Lee Gall received the top honour in the wool judging, which focused on the texture, colour, and cleanliness of the fleeces, with Andrew Firth and Louis Haeusler finishing in second and third respectively. Finally, the crop judging saw the students assess crops on their size, colour, and overall health. Amber Edmonds was awarded first place, with Louis Haeusler in second, and Louise Donnelly and Shakira Benge tying in third place.