Agriculture at Downlands
Downlands lies at the gateway to the Darling Downs and was founded with special commitment to country families and those facing the challenges of remoteness and distance.
This commitment to the importance of rural industries has significantly influenced the Downlands curriculum.
The Downlands Agricultural curriculum sets high standards, continually challenging and inspiring agricultural students both in the pursuit of Agricultural Science and the Vocational Educational program.
Downlands students participate in Judging, Paraders and Herdsman competitions and have enjoyed consistent success at national and international levels. While the Downlands College Cattle Show team is a co-curricular activity offered to students from Years 7 to 12, interested students in Years 5 and 6 are provided with a more tailored introduction to the Cattle Show Team at the Junior Handler's Camp.
Beyond the school gates, the rural program:
- attends and exhibits a variety of cattle breeds at local, regional and major Royal Agricultural Shows and specialist breeder shows
- competes at Rockhampton Beef Week, held every three years.
- maintains industry partnerships with AgForce, hosting agricultural days and the Moo Baa Munch event at Downlands.
agriculture in the curriculum
Agricultural Science is an integral part of the Science curriculum. A very hands-on subject, it provides opportunities for students of all ages to participate in a variety of projects at the 14 hectare on-site farm (College Rural Centre).
Senior students may choose to obtain a Certificate II in Rural Operations or undertake Agricultural Science subjects to contribute to an ATAR score.
Downlands is a proud partner and a Gateway School to Agribusiness which aims to help young people make a successful transition from school into further education and/or employment. The project encourages partnerships between schools, training (VET), universities and industry to provide career opportunities for young people.
The program provides opportunities for students and school communities to engage in the diverse range of careers across businesses based on primary industries. Students are able to gain valuable experience in the industry while still at school, providing them with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about training and employment upon leaving school, by raising the profile of careers in the Agribusiness sector.
Rural centre
The Downlands Rural Centre is a fully functioning farm located on our 38 ha College campus. There are opportunities for students of all ages to participate in a variety of projects at this flourishing College Rural Centre, including:
- Fencing
- Cattle handling and show preparation
- Beef, sheep and chicken feed trials
- Beekeeping and honey extraction
- Low input vegetables
- Crop production
- Rotation and pasture management
- Egg production
- Citrus and olive orchard management
- Aquaculture
Cattle Show Team
The Downlands College Cattle Show team is a co-curricular activity offered to students from Years 7 – 12. The Cattle Show Team attends local, regional and major Royal Agricultural Shows and specialist breeder shows, including the Rockhampton Beef Week held every three years.
Interested students in Years 5 and 6 will be provided with a more tailored introduction to the Cattle Show Team and will participate in a Junior Handler’s Camp, traditionally held on the Toowoomba Show Holiday at the College Rural Centre.
Downlands College students prepare stud cattle across a range of breeds, along with an extensive commercial feeding and showing program to exhibit in carcase competitions. Furthermore, Downlands operates a small commercial herd to breed its own animals for hook and hoof competitions.
Opportunities exist for students to participate in Judging, Paraders and Herdsman competition at all levels. Downlands students enjoy consistent success at national and international levels.
Students are involved in integrated beef production from choosing sires, artificial insemination, calving, animal husbandry (vaccinations, drenching, marking and weaning), monitoring growth rates and determining feed efficiencies, recognising market viability indicators and making decisions on which beasts are suitable for breeding or market. Students follow cattle from conception through to calving, to the show ring then to the carcass competition and are able to observe, first hand, the results of breeding and feeding programs.
Team members are guided through cattle handling techniques from quietening to preparation to parading heifers and steers in the show ring. Small holding mustering and yard skills along with learning to observe and treat health issues of stock mean students are able to learn everything from the importance of a balanced feed regime to upholding WH&S standards.
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sheep show team
The Downlands College Sheep Show team is a co-curricular activity offered to students from Years 7 to 12. The Sheep Show Team attends local, regional and major Royal Agricultural Shows and specialist breeder shows, exhibiting stud animals across a range of long and short wool breeds such as Border Leicesters and Poll Dorsets.
Interested students in Years 4, 5 and 6 will be provided with a more tailored introduction to the Sheep Show Team and will participate in a Junior Handler’s Camp at the beginning of Term Two which will provide these students with the foundation skills required for later years.
In addition to the preparation and exhibition of a range of different stud sheep provided by leading Queensland breeders, opportunities exist for students to participate in Young Judging and Parading competition at all levels, with students having the ability to represent the college at State and National levels.
Team members are guided through livestock handling techniques from quietening, to preparation, to exhibiting sheep in the show ring, while learning a range of skills in animal husbandry that may assist in a career in Agriculture in the future.
For any further information, please call us on 07 4690 9500 or email us enquiries@downlands.qld.edu.au
