Schools as far afield as Narooma, Braidwood, Yass and Dapto, as well as many local Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands schools rocked up to the newly renovated showgrounds on the morning of Wednesday, May 5.

Holly, a student at Bomaderry High School was there to do her school proud.

Asked whether she thought her school would win the spectacular, Holly pointed to her steer and said "of course, this guy is amazing , absolutely the most curviest guy I've ever met".

Read more:

Holly said she loved taking part in the event because of her love of agriculture, a subject she gained a passion for after being taught by her agricultural science teacher Bronwyn Hilaire.

Now in year 11, Holly is studying primary industries and intends to continue her agricultural studies at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.

The steers were provided by local farms around 100 days before the event and the students and teachers have worked together to feed them grain, groom them and teach them how to perform tasks like parading.

The students also compiled a report that monitored their growth and submitted the report for it to be judged as part of the competition.

Wednesday's event involved a junior judging competition where the students showed off their cattle assessing skills. Following this competition, students took part in a parading event where they were assessed on their control of the steers.

Holly's teacher Mrs Hilaire said the spectacular was important for the kids because it game them a hands-on experience where they got to learn about all levels of the beef industry.

And she said through collaboration, it became a bonding experience for the kids.

"We have students preparing the cattle as well as students parading them. There's lots of jobs we can give them and they can all participate," she said.

"Bomaderry High School has done quite well in the past. We've always gone away with a ribbon, whether that's first, second or third."

The spectacular attracts students from schools who have an extensive background in agricultural studies as well as schools who more recently got into the game.

David King is the spokesperson of South Coast Beef Producers, an organisation of beef farmers who put the event together.

He said the association got together a few years ago to get the ball rolling on a steer spectacular.

"We wanted to educate our [the students] on ethical raising and best cattle handling practices as well as how to get the best out of your livestock," he said.

"You can see these kids are passionate. The animal might make a mess all over them and they just clean themselves and the animal up and get on with the show."

The event was sponsored by Truck and Tractor and Manildra Stockfeeds with support from Shoalhaven City Council, the Department of Primary Industries, the Department of Agriculture and Local Land Services.

Mayor Amanda Findley was there to announce the launch of the spectacular and said she was proud of council for getting behind the show.

"Agriculture is a harder pathway for kids to get into these days so these programs are really important because they show kids that there are ways of getting into the field.

"There's so many big agribusinesses that need employees and these kids are the employees of agribusiness in the future," she said.