IT WAS not all competition during the National Youth Stampede conducted over three-days during the annual Charolais National at Dubbo showground on June 30 to July 3.
The 100 young beef enthusiasts participated in educational sessions presented by veterinarians, marketing sales people and representatives from University of New England and TAFE.
Seniors and intermediates were also exposed to varying careers in agriculture with a panel discussion with several industry professionals while juniors and Pee-Wee age groups focused more on hand-on activities including cattle clipping, washing and leading in the ring.
The stampede was held prior to the Pickles Charolais National Showcase featuring 101 stud bulls and females which also incorporated the inaugural Clipex Silver Calf Show and the Allflex Charolais National Sale held on the Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.
Public speaking was one event which encourages each of the young people to overcome their fears and nerves and express their opinions of how they place animals in junior judging.
As well, tips on microphone technique and etiquette. Team-building games were also a life skills experience.
Supporting Charolais youth the Salier family, of Narrabri donated a heifer, Minnie-Vale Primrose M18E which sold at the National dinner for $4600 to the Halliday family’s Waterford stud, Mount Macedon, Victoria, with all proceeds donated to Charolais Youth in Australia.
The heifer was sired by the red factor, homozygous poll sire, Palgrove Jaguar J629E and from a high performance Minnie-Vale family line.
Grand champion Herdsperson was Heidi Nicholls of Took-A-While Charolais, Kyogle, who is studying Agriculture and Business at University of New England, Armidale.
Champion junior judge was Georgia Laurie and champion parader, Amy Whitechurch.
A photographic competition was also held which attracted 50 entries with the winner being Caitlyn Barton’s entry taken at Palgrove’s Ben Lomond properties showing reflections of cattle along a dam.
A public vote awarded Saphie Day of Tumut for her photograph of a calf.