The Shorthorn Youth Expo celebrated its 30th year of providing enthusiastic young people a platform to gain knowledge and confidence within the cattle industry, during the October long-weekend at Parkes.
Eighty-six youth members from across the country, aged between six to 25 attended the three-day event, which included competitions in parading and judging, as well as industry professionals as guest speakers.
Presenters included John Wright, Coota Park Blue-E, Cowra, who spoke about breeding and feed efficiencies, while Bronwyn Nielsen, Calrossy High School, Tamworth, discussed meat cut identification and meat judging, and Jonathan Tink, Orange, provided the youth with show preparation processes.
Shorthorn Youth Club Australia, committee president, John McKenna, Kennalea Shorthorn stud, Holbrook, said the event aims to involve young people in the beef industry and provide lifelong skills.
“The event presents opportunities for those who have not been apart of the environment before or introduces youth who already are, to industry people,” Mr McKenna said.
“I have been involved since I was a young fella and it brought out my confidence; along with forming friendships I will carry throughout life,” he said.
The paraders competition crowned Alexandra Watt, Spry’s Shorthorns, Tamworth, as grand champion parader, after she took out the senior champion sash over reserve winner Lauren Amor, Marrignton Shorthorns, Dubbo, earlier in the judging.
The junior champion was sashed to Logan Evans, Howzat Shorthorns, Tamworth, with reserve awarded to Harry Whitty, Forbes.
Intermediate champion was sashed to Cooper Carter, Cooper’s Shorthorns, Tumut, with reserve to Clare Amor, Marrignton Shorthorns, Dubbo.
Under junior judge, Leanne Neilsen, Kandos, it was 19-year-old Chelsea Rayner, Kidman Downs Shorthorn and Simmental stud, Sheffield, Tasmania, who took out the David Jerry Memorial grand champion, junior judging trophy.
After seven years of junior judging experience and her eye on building a career as a livestock agent, Ms Rayner also received most potential stud breeder.
As part of a Tasmanian Shorthorn Society initiative, Ms Rayner won the Herdsman award, which allowed her to attend the youth expo.
“I was proud of how I performed, I began junior judging through school and their cattle handling team – I gained my experience because as part of our studies, we had to go to a show with a stud or the school and be involved in junior judging,” Ms Rayner said.
In the senior junior judging, champion was awarded to Alexandra Watt, Spry’s Shorthorns, Tamworth, with reserve sashed to Hannah Powe, Goondoola Red Angus, Cargo.
Intermediate champion was taken out by Sarah Rayner, Kidman Downs Shorthorn and Simmental stud, Sheffield, Tasmania, sister of the grand champion.
Reserve was awarded to Cooper Carter, Cooper’s Shorthorns, Tumut, who also went on to win best presented heifer.
Under judge Fergus Job, Crown Shorthorns, Dubbo, the heifer division was taken out by 13 year-old Lachlan Spry, Spry’s Shorthorns, Tamworth, leading Spry’s Miss Informant, after being previously sashed intermediate champion.
Leading Spencer Family Coco Starlight, the senior champion heifer was sashed to Catie Loan, Duroan Shorthorns, Tasmania, with reserve to Cody Evans, Nabiac Shorthorns, Tamworth, leading Nabiac Gigolow’s Melita.
Cody Evans also snapped up the bred, owned and exhibited heifer class champion sash, with Nabiac Gigolow’s Melita, and reserve was awarded to Zoe Carter, Diamond Z Shorthorns, Tumut, leading Diamond Z Queen of Castle.
Intermediate champion was sashed to grand champion winner, Lachlan Spry, Spry’s Shorthorns, Tamworth, and in reserve was Steph Murphy, Tamworth, leading Nagol Park Ellies Romance.
In the junior class, Will O’Connor, Marrington Shorthorns, Dubbo, leading Marrington Ruby Amore, was sashed champion and leading Kamilaroi Anna Marie, was reserve champion, Leisel Cooper and Jayden New, Calrossy High School, Tamworth.
The 2016 NSW Shorthorn ambassador award was received by Emily Eather, Doolibah Shorthorns, Scone.
