The students, together with their agriculture teacher Donna Parker, are preparing steers for the Royal Melbourne Show hoof and hook competition next month.

They will take a team of steers, of different breeds, to Melbourne and a couple of steers will later travel to Albury Show.

Mrs Parker said the hoof and hook competition allowed students to learn about the agriculture industry throughout the entire supply chain.

And despite the fact the animals are slaughtered, and judged on the hook, the students were embracing the notion as a learning experience.

Mrs Parker said building relationships within the community and beyond was also an important aspect. Many of the steers were being shown on a "share" arrangement and had been donated to the school after students contacted the stud principals to make a request.

The steers, which have been weighed each week, will tip the scales at around 400 kilograms to 500 kilograms by the time judging starts in Melbourne.

Year 9 student, Tyrone Heritage, will attend Melbourne for the third time this year and said he had learned a lot from showing cattle.

He explained that the show team spent much of their lunch time looking after the steers and preparing them for the show.

They also meet after school to perfect the leading of steers and to wash and clip.

Tyrone said the cattle were first paraded and judged on the hoof at Melbourne and then they were later taken to the abattoir for judging on the hook.