Eighteen government and private high schools were each given a six-month-old poll Hereford steer by the University of Western Sydney. A steer, for city folk, is a young, castrated male bovine raised for beef. They grow rapidly, gaining up to 1.5 kilograms a day.

Over the next 100 days, the schools - including St Ignatius' College, Riverview, better known for the lush expanse of its rugby fields than its grazing paddocks - will feed and nurture their animals before a final judging.

The event organiser, Stephen Blunden, of the School of Natural Sciences, said the Unischools Steer Challenge was an opportunity for students based in the city to explore careers in agriculture-related industries.

Yesterday afternoon, participating schools gathered at the university's Hawkesbury campus cattle yards where a ballot was held to distribute the steers.

''The challenge is important for city kids because it gives them exposure to a large animal which many have failed to come across before,'' Mr Blunden said. ''The husbandry is very different from looking after a rabbit, chicken or a fish.''

The results will be judged at the Hawkesbury Showground on August 14 before a parade at the Central Coast Prime Beef Show. Afterwards, the steers will be sold on the market.

Larissa Baker said she was excited about bringing the beast to school.

''It's really interesting to look after the steer,'' said the 16-year-old from Caroline Chisholm College in Glenmore Park.

''This is my second year in the challenge and you learn a lot.''