Friday, 13th May – Today we were fortunate enough for Western Sydney University to allow us to take one of their steers to our school for the annual UniSteers competition. Of course, as he was not around people too much, we tried to make this transition easy on him so that he would not get aggravated towards people. He weighed 305kg when we picked him up.
Thursday, 19th May – We have begun gentling this week, in order to enable McBeast to get used to us. We are glad to have an animal that is fairly calm. We have been patient in order to have a graceful experience. Also, the seniors have begun trying to parade him, McBeast has been somewhat stubborn, especially with the nose-dog being in, as this is an unfamiliar feeling. But hopefully he will be more accepting of the leads and nose-dog been on him. Unfortunately he has lost weight and currently weighs 277kg.
Friday, 20th May – Today we have changed McBeast’s food to 20% concentrate, meaning beginning feeding him pellets, and 80% roughage (hay).
Thursday, 26th May – To make sure McBeast is even more used to the feeling of being paraded, we have worked on this for today. From last week’s work on parading, he was much less stubborn but of course, will need much more work before the show. Also, as we gradually change McBeasts food, we now have 50% concentrate and 50% roughage. He weighed 288kg this week.
Thursday, 2nd June – Today we have made much more progress our parading skills, we have moved on from parading in the small area before the crush. We have moved from there and into the paddock, and have allowed experienced juniors to begin parading him there. Not only this we have started clipping him near his belly and gradually moved up towards his head. This week was the last week we changed his food, now being 80% concentrate and 20% roughage. He has nearly gone back to the pickup weight at 304kg.
Thursday, 9th June – McBeast experienced his first wash and blow dry today, the juniors were eager to get up close to McBeast and give him some spa treatment. He was very calm through the washing and blow-dry, and we are glad with the results. Sadly he lost weight again, being at 294kg.
Thursday, 16th June – With our ever-growing confidence in McBeast, we have paraded him with the nose-dog lead in our hands around the cattle paddock. Previously we would parade him with the nose-dog but have had the lead tucked into his halter out of the way. He gained a huge 31kgs and now sits at 325kg.
Thursday, 23rd June – Today we were only able to weigh McBeast, and he is now 331kg.
Thursday, 30th June – Yet again, we could only weigh McBeast and he gained a great 16.5kg, so he is up to 347.5kg.
Friday, 22nd July – We have not had the opportunity parade or clip McBeast today as of the weather, however we were able weigh him, and he gained a huge amount over the past three weeks. He weighed in at 379kg.
Thursday, 28th July – Today we clipped McBeast yet again in order to define his features and gain a rough idea of what we will want to do in order for the UniSteers show. This allows us to get an idea of what we are doing and gives McBeast a chance to regain his coat. Thursday, 4th July – Today we did a large variety of activities with McBeast. We paraded him around, while also teaching novice paraders how to parade properly while at shows and displaying the actions to keep ourselves safe while doing so. He received a small clip and we have also weighed him, clocking in at slightly over 400kgs. Thursday 11th July – With still some weight gain, we were a little reluctant to move him in the last few days before the big show. With only two days to go, it was start to fix up small things with his clipping, ensure the show box was together, food rations were complete and any last minute preparations were together.