As part of the agricultural studies, the students are learning about preparing and showing cattle, all in preparation for the major event. 

Beef Week is Australia's biggest cattle event celebrating all facets of the Australian beef industry.

Held once every three years it also facilitates new trade and export opportunities, delivers new research information to producers and promotes businesses

But the CDU Rural Campus students will be concentrating on the heart of the Beef Week program: cattle competitions. 

The students have been working hard to learn the ropes of showing cattle. 

Recent high school graduate Maddie Harley said she feels honoured and privileged to be able to compete in Beef Week. 

“You want to show you have a connection with the animal,” she said. 

“When the judge looks at the beast they want to see the animal standing nice and tall to highlight the best parts of the animal.

“It takes a lot more skill than you think,” she said. 

Ms Harley said it all comes down to confidence and keeping the cattle on point for the judges.