There were plenty of hands-on learning opportunities for agriculture students from across the state as the Jamestown Showgrounds once again played host to the Junior Ag Education Day (JED).
Held on 29 June, about 170 students from 13 schools attended the JED to gain valuable insights from experts in the sheep and cattle fields.
Students rotated through seven sessions providing hands-on training for students across regional South Australia in an aim to build practical livestock skills and encourage agricultural career pathways. It is also a prevalent event on the calendar for many schools in the lead up to the Royal Adelaide Show.
Of the 13 schools, Karcultaby Area School travelled the furthest, making the 10-hour round trip to Jamestown.
Also in attendance were students from Jamestown Community School, Central Yorke School, Yorketown Area School, Orroroo Area School, Booleroo Centre District School, Clare High, Wudinna Area School, Birdwood High, Burra Community School, Riverton and District High School, Eudunda Area School and Trinity College.
Students had the choice of undertaking a sheep or cattle program, rotating through six sessions in each stream, as well as an additional careers session for both streams.
Orroroo Area School student Zara Lang said the school had not shown cattle at the Show for many years, and the event gave her a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience.
“It’s a great experience for seeing how to safely show the cattle and do it in a way that is comfortable for them, so we don’t stress them and have a good outcome for them,” she said.
Orroroo Area School student Hunter Shackleford said the day also gave students and teachers an opportunity to network and develop their operations.
“It’s not just us here, so we’re talking to other schools as well, seeing what they’re doing differently that we might be able to incorporate into what we do as well,” he said.
Eudunda Area School students Leah Jaeger and Jessica Staehr said they were most keen to learn more about handling cattle.
“We don’t have cattle at the school currently, but we’re hoping to get some next year and head down to the show,” said Leah.
“It’s really cool to be a part of an event with lots of people, and all the animals, you can learn so much from the show.”
“I just like animals, really anything animal related and want to work with them outside of school, so this event is helpful,” said Jessica.
Sessions were delivered by volunteer presenters from across various parts of the livestock industry.
Sheep coordinator Shannon Donoghue said the event was a really great networking place for students and highlighted job opportunities for their future.
“Going through these education days when I was younger, I can see a lot of benefit, and then coming back as a coordinator, I hope they see opportunities in the industry and that they don’t have to be on-farm to have a career in agriculture. There’s so many different avenues you can go down,” she said.
The cattle portion of the event was not offered last year due to inclement weather, with the 2026 edition returning to strong numbers only experienced during pre-Covid times.
Cattle coordinator Cassie Duncan-Tiver attributed the strong numbers to strong backing from industry partners and the working group of volunteers pushing it.
“It’s also the networking between the teachers … they seem to be very keen to learn and give more opportunities to the kids,” she said.
The event was delivered by the Jamestown Show Sheep and Wool Committee, with support from Upper North Farming Systems and the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.
