The activists displayed signs with messages such as ‘Bulls feel heat and pain’ and ‘Your attendance supports cruelty’.

Activist spokesperson Amy Johnson said about 30 protesters “informed participants of the cruelty” endured by animals at the rodeo.

A police spokesperson said officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended the showground shortly before 6pm and “spoke to both sides”. There were no arrests.

Morisset Show organisers said they took measures to mitigate against heat stress for all livestock, such as rescheduling some events for early in the morning.