October 5, 2026
Nanango Showgrounds hosted the recent Interschool Hoof and Hook Competition, a celebration of agriculture, livestock production and learning which brought together schools from across the Wide Bay Burnett.
About 210 students and 50 staff from 15 schools – both public and private – attended the event.
Students had the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, including Junior Handling, Junior Judging and an agricultural information session.
These activities provided the students with valuable opportunities to develop their livestock handling skills, learn about judging and carcass assessment, and gain a greater understanding of the beef industry.
However, the highlight of the day was the Interschool Hoof and Hook Competition where students showcased their school cattle in the led steer and heifer competition and then followed their animals through to the carcass judging component.
Entries from Proston K-10 and Kilkivan P-10 State schools did very well.
Proston K-10 students took home the 2026 Champion and Reserve Champion on the Hoof awards for “Dolly” and “Patsy”.
“Dolly” was later named Reserve Champion Carcase and took out the Overall Champion award.
Kilkivan P-10 State School won the Heavyweight Led Steer or Heifer on the Hoof competition and Middleweight Led Steer or Heifer on the Hook.
The competition received strong support from local businesses which provided more than $18,000 worth of cash and prizes.
Smithfield Feedlot, from Proston, was one of the major sponsors with a donation of $5000.
Other major donations included from Riverina Stockfeeds, which donated a tonne of bagged feed, and Dickson Ag, which donated 50 lick blocks.
[Photos: Katrina Hayward]
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Interschool Results
Junior Judging Results
- Champion and winner of the Lucy Needer Perpetual Trophy – Billy Cameron, Bundaberg Christian College
- Reserve Champion – Rhianna McIntyre, Gympie SHS
Junior Handler Champion – Judges were Julie Sheehan and Jason Jeynes
- Champion – Morgan Mawhinney, Victory College, Gympie
Best Presented School
- Champion – Kilkivan P-10 State School
- Reserve Champion – Hervey Bay SHS
Most Points – Individual
- Champion – Addison Cooke, Gympie SHS
- Reserve Champion – Rhianna McIntyre, Gympie SHS
Most Points – School
- Champion – Kilkivan P-10 State School
- Reserve Champion – Kingaroy SHS
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Hoof Competition
The Hoof competition provided students with the opportunity to present their led steers and heifers in weight divisions.
Students were judged on their animal’s presentation, structure, finish, suitability and overall quality.
Lightweight Led Steer or Heifer
- 1. Patsy – Proston K-10 State School
- 2. Hilux – Monto SHS
- 3. Weston Warrior – Noosa District High School
Middleweight Led Steer or Heifer
- 1. Dolly – Proston K-10 State School
- 2. Titan – Mundubbera SHS
- 3. Tronto – Kilkivan P-10 State School
Heavyweight Led Steer or Heifer
- 1. Boston – Kilkivan P-10 State School
- 2. Little Princess – Proston K-10 State School
- 3. Afro – Riverside Christian College
Champion on the Hoof
- Dolly – Proston K-10 State School
Reserve Champion on the Hoof
- Patsy – Proston K-10 State School
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Hook Competition
After the Hoof judging, the students were able to see the results of their animals through the Hook component of the competition, with carcasses assessed following processing at Nolan’s Meats in Gympie.
Lightweight Led Steer or Heifer
- 1. Hilux – Monto SHS
- 2. Patsy – Proston K-10 State School
- 3. Jimbo – Riverside Christian College
Middleweight Led Steer or Heifer
- 1. Tronto – Kilkivan P-10 State School
- 2. Dolly – Proston K-10 State School
- 3. Rome – Kilkivan P-10 State School
Heavyweight Led Steer or Heifer
- 1. Milton – Kilcoy SHS
- 2. Firecracker – Noosa District High School
- 3. Afro – Riverside Christian College
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Carcass Champions
The carcass component provided students with a valuable insight into how their animals performed beyond the show ring and demonstrated the connection between livestock preparation, animal selection, production and the final beef product.
The 2026 Carcass Champion was Tronto, from Kilkivan P-10 State School with 72.5 points.
The Reserve Champion Carcass was Dolly, from Proston K-10 State School with 70.5 points.
These results highlighted the importance of selecting and preparing an animal that can perform both on the hoof and on the hook.
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2026 Overall Champion
The ultimate award of the competition recognised the animal that demonstrated outstanding performance across both the Hoof and Hook components.
The Overall Champion was Dolly, from Proston K-10 State School, with 120.5 points.
Dolly was also named Champion on the Hoof and Reserve Champion Carcass, demonstrating an outstanding combination of show ring presentation and carcass performance.
