Being a redhead or 'ranga' no doubt led to her name 'Fergie', and this particular heifer proved a winner for Muswellbrook High School's agriculture students.
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At the recent Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza, Fergie, a Charolais x Red Angus, won the champion prime heifer in the carcase competition - perhaps one of the school's highest awards at the annual event held in Scone.
A result that pleased ag teacher Erin Carter and the students who named the red factor heifer after the red tractor brand Massey Ferguson.
Fergie was purchased in April from well-known steer and carcase exhibitors Travis and Phoebe Worth, GD Livestock, Singleton, specifically for student education and showing.
In her Prime Led Heifer class (live carcass assessment), Fergie received a highly commended ribbon under judge Erica Halliday, Ben Nevis Angus, Walcha.
But it was in the chiller where she shone with perfect fat cover and an excellent eye muscle area, she scored 82.11 on the hook.
Students worked with her from the ground up - beginning with learning to handle human contact and new environments.
Training then progressed to halter-breaking, and the students groomed and handled her multiple times each week to ensure she became quiet and confident.
Fergie was shown at the Quirindi Spring Show earlier in the year as a practice run for students and cattle before the major competition.
At Bonanza she was paraded across the weekend by multiple students of different ages, demonstrating her quiet temperament and trainability.
The Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza is considered the largest events of its kind in Australia, attracting over 700 entries and 400 students keen to learn and compete in the various classes.
