Attended by school students from across Victoria and the Riverina, the annual Cattle Handlers Camp was started in 1988 by Stud Beef Victoria to ensure that the next generation of stud grooms are properly educated in the necessary skills and responsibilities of stud grooming.
Participants of all ages are instructed on many different aspects such as how to make halters and beds, how to wash, groom, clip and generally make their cattle look their best for the show ring, all in a fun and caring environment.
At the recent camp held in Bendigo during 2-5 July, Charlotte Nugent, who has been a student at the Wagga Wagga Christian College since kindergarten and is now in year eight, attended with enthusiasm, keen to meet other like minded students and learn more about the art of preparing and showing cattle.
Miss Nugent is a member of her school’s show team, which is in its second year of competition, and during the past 12 months has paraded cattle at local shows including the Junee Show, where she has been honing her skills and expanding her experience.
Growing up on the family farm, “Burraburoo”, Tarcutta, Miss Nugent, has been encouraged by her parents to be fully involved in all aspects of animal husbandry.
Miss Nugent said attending the Cattle Handlers Camp was a great experience, teaching her a lot about preparing and showing cattle, and allowing her to fine tune and further develop her skills.
“It was great interacting with so many other people, young and old, who share the same passion as me about the beef industry,” she said.
“I have already started to use some of the new skills we learnt at the camp in preparing our school show team for Melbourne Royal Show in September.
“I will definitely be attending the camp again next year and for years to come.”
Miss Nugent finished off a successful four days placing 4th in her Paraders Class with her Speckle Park steer Jackungha Simba.
The Camp includes a wide range of educational activities culminating in a Cattle Show, Judging Competition and Paraders Competition, where participants learn about the commercial world of cattle breeding and showing.
Fully supervised by Stud Beef Victoria Committee members, participants from all age groups, backgrounds and differing skill levels are encouraged to attend.