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October 2009 Issue
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Students steer success at Show

 Students

Students from the University of ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ±'s Roseworthy Campus have had another successful year at the Royal ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± 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 ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± 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.

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