Last year the region had a successful trip to Victoria with exhibitors including Lockhart Central School, Wagga Christian College and Billabong High School all bringing home awards from the prestigious event.

The cancellation of the 2020 Royal Melbourne Show due to coronavirus concerns has come as a blow for those who support the event.

However, in some breaking news schools will have an opportunity to exhibit their cattle in a hoof and hook competition which has been organised.

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) will offer agricultural schools and tertiary institutions, along with beef cattle breeders, the opportunity to enter and exhibit in a hoof and hook competition, to be held at Yea Saleyards on Friday, September, 25, 2020.

RASV Beef Cattle Committee chairman David Bolton acknowledged the role that the Royal Melbourne Show has for many schools that compete each year.

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"The Royal Melbourne Show Beef Carcase Competition is a huge part of many school's curriculum, and although students would have had some time away from schools, many schools will still be training and preparing the animals as usual."

RASV chief executive officer, Brad Jenkins was excited to announce a new agricultural competition to be held in regional Victoria.

"The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria is excited to offer this new hoof and hook competition for schools and tertiary institutions along with beef cattle breeders in 2020," he said.

"We are proud to offer students the opportunity to continue preparing their livestock and allowing them to complete all curriculum obligations."

"We are exploring opportunities to live stream the hoof and hook competition to maximise the reach and exposure of the exhibitors and the township of Yea," Mr Jenkins said.

The hoof and hook competition will be run under the same regulations as the Royal Melbourne Show Beef Carcase Competition and exhibitors will be able to enter the competition online via the RASV website.

Pending government advice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the hoof and hook competition will include led classes, with exhibitors having the option for their animals to be judged unled.

"This is one of the many opportunities the RASV is exploring to present some of the traditional and much-loved elements of the Royal Melbourne Show through creative new events and celebrations to support food and agricultural producers," Mr Jenkins said.

Further announcements including arrival times, judging timetable and the judge will be provided with the release of the competition schedule later this month.

Entries will open on Wednesday, May, 27 and close Wednesday, June, 24. For more information or to learn more, visit the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria website www.rasv.com.au