Students steer success at Show

Students

Students from the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy Campus have had another successful year at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Bolstered by their Grand Champion Steer prize in 2008, students again entered steers into the Show's led steer competition.

This year even more students were involved, with 24 students having prepared four steers for competition since April. The students are studying Agriculture, Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary science.

By the conclusion of the Show, the students' hard work had paid off - they took out two first prizes, a second prize and a third, with one steer awarded Champion Light Domestic Steer.

First-year agriculture student Brooke Crowell was also successful in winning the Red Angus cattle handler class.

"This project has given students an opportunity to learn animal husbandry, practise the theory from our course, develop skills as agriculturalists and liaise with industry. This will be invaluable experience for them by the time they complete their studies," said lecturer in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine Darren Koopman.

"Because of last year's success, industry has become increasingly aware of the students' efforts. This year they have received $9000 worth of sponsorship, with Compass Feeds again coming on board as major sponsor and providing feed for the animals," Mr Koopman said.

Meanwhile, students involved in the world's biggest study into the genetic causes of cerebral palsy also had a presence at this year's Royal Adelaide Show.

Cerebral palsy is one of the world's most serious complications arising during pregnancy and birth, affecting one in every 500 children born in Australia.

At the Show, researchers from the Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology asked families to provide genetic samples in the form of cheek swabs.

Young people aged 5-18 years and their mothers are needed to provide cheek swabs, which will help to unravel the mystery of how genetic mutations are linked to cerebral palsy.

More than 230 families provided cheek swabs during the Show, with more than 100 families taking home swab kits that can be mailed back to the researchers.

"The Royal Adelaide Show is a great opportunity to recruit families for our study, because you get the chance to see about one third of the State's population across nine days," said the National Trial Coordinator, PhD student Michael O'Callaghan.

"Being able to promote awareness of cerebral palsy, the world-leading research being conducted in this State, and encouraging community participation will be very important in helping us to achieve a possible breakthrough on cerebral palsy.

"Many children start laughing when they swab their cheeks because it tickles. The laughing clown - an iconic symbol of the Royal Adelaide Show - really captures the spirit of participation in this study," he said.

To find out more about the study or to enrol, visit: www.adelaide.edu.au/cerebralpalsy

Story by David Ellis