Over 250 students from 11 schools all over the region were treated to a complete agricultural workshop at the Tamworth Showgrounds on Thursday.
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This year the North West Schools Lamb Show attracted 115 lambs, from schools stretching as far north as Tenterfield, west to Narrabri, south to Quirindi and everywhere in between.
While the competition is the prime cut, the students also attended a range of workshops covering everything from pasture management to meat and wool science.
Two schools in the heart of sheep country tok the major prizes on the day, with Guyra Central showing a pen of poll Dorset crosses that impressed guest judge, Thomas Foods' Andrew Jackson, according to organiser and Peel High agriculture teacher Ben Bowman.
"Guyra were crowned champion for the best pen of lambs, although it was a very good competition," he said.
"We had 15 lambs more than last year, and despite a very tough year Andrew Jackson was very impressed that the lambs were holding condition well, were in good nick and well finished."
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The day also included two judging competitions, and both the meat sheep and skin judging titles were taken out by Macintyre High student Georgina Burton, who blew both the field away as well as the guest judges.
On top of the competition the students also rotated through workshops by industry specialists.
Tony Christian from Upper Murray Seeds gave a talk on pasture and soil management, while David Hallam from Jemalong Wool and a UNE meat scientist also ran workshops, and Peel High students ran a class on preparing sheep for shows.
On Friday the carcass section of the competition was being judged at the Thomas Foods abattoir by UNE meat science lecturer Peter McGilchrist.
"We have been really well supported by the community again this year," Mr Bowman said.
"We had a lot of volunteers giving up their time to help out, and run the workshops, and the Tamworth P&A let us use the venue and the portable sheep panels for free.
"It is always a great educational day for the students, and a god chance for the ag teachers to get together and network as well."
