ASKHAM Bryan College students have been taking the first steps with their beef animals in preparation for the upcoming Stockmanship Competition.

With only six weeks to go, students have been allocated a beast at random; pre-selection of stock was not permitted.

Training has started in earnest with the first task of halter training well under way, a new experience for both students and animals.

The students are responsible for managing their own time to produce the animals to the best of their ability. They will be judged on effort and commitment in the run-up to the competition with turn-out judged on the day by a panel of external judges. Quality, confirmation and breeding of the beast is not judged to give every student the opportunity to shine.

The contest also incorporates dairy and sheep categories, with the dairy class well underway and training progressing well. The sheep were allocated to students at the end of March.