A total of 61 participants from schools in Cowra, Canowindra and Forbes took part in the Poll Dorset Youth Day day held at Cowra Showgrounds on August 3.
Central West Poll Dorset secretary Ruth Klingner, Ridgehaven Poll Dorset stud, Forbes, said the aim of the day was to educate students on farming and all aspects of the commercial sheep and lamb industries.
Topics of the day included pregnancy scanning and lamb carcase cut demonstrations, sheep nutrition, health and animal ethics, fat scoring, market suitability, ram selection, Poll Dorset characteristics and farm safety.
Speakers included Andrew Scott, Valley Vista stud, Coolac; Isabelle Roberts, Ridgehaven stud, Cudal; NSW Department of Primary Industries Tracy Lamb, Cowra; Local Land Services vet Amy Masters, Orange; Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon and Company agent Paul Breen, Canowindra; David Young, Safework NSW, and Greg Hamilton, Windradyne stud, Canowindra.
A careers in agriculture session was included to kick start the day, getting students to think about the numerous options out there.
Junior judging was overseen by Isabelle Roberts, Cudal. The sheep section was won by Sophie Light, Cowra High School. The lamb chop section was won by Hugh Squire, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes.
In memory of young Poll Dorset breeder, Emma Clark, who tragically died in a car accident last year, a memorial award has been created to be awarded to the highest achieving individual.
The Emma Clark Memorial Junior Stockman award was presented to Sophie Light for highest individual combined point score throughout the day.
An encouragement award was awarded to Chelsea Reeves, Red Bend Catholic College, for her strong involvement in the day. The schools competition, for the school with the highest average point score, was won by Cowra High School.
Alternating every year with Finley, the next Poll Dorset Youth Day will be held in the south before returning to Cowra in 2019.
