IT’S A key part of a country show and perhaps one of the most important, and that’s cattle.

Tim Krause is chief steward of the Stud Beef and Cattle section of the Marburg Show.

He’s been readying the ground and preparing the environment to cope with the heavy hooves of big, beefy beasts.

Tim said last year’s entry numbers were down as the Show clashed with the Beef 24 event in Rockhampton.

“Our most popular breed entered is the Droughtmaster,” he said.

“I expect Droughtmaster will be popular in the Led Steer section as well.”

He’s put up yards to accommodate around 120 head of cattle.

“The Show Society invested in 200 panels a couple of years ago. We’ve pulled them out with a tractor and have done a bit of cleaning in preparation for the Show,” he said.

“We start at 8am, there’ll be two rings running with Tropical and British beef in the one ring and the Lead Steers and European cattle in another.

“Then there’ll be Young Paradors and Young Judges after the Grand Parade or after the completion of the stud cattle judging.”

He’s hoping the rain has held off because wet weather tends to curtail entry numbers.

“Nobody likes to stand or sit in the rain with their cattle,” he said.

Country shows are also a way for young people to get experience showing, managing or judging cattle in front of an audience.

It connects them with adults in the industry, and more experienced handlers are usually happy to offer advice.

Then there’s the competitive edge where ribbons, sashes and awards matter.

Tim is holding the names of the judges close to his chest.

“I don’t really like to publicise that before the day,” he said.

“I like the fact that nobody knows who is going to judge until the time that they get there.”