“TO inspire and sustain involvement in the beef industry” is the main mission of the Angus Youth program that hosted it’s first event for 2018 in Wodonga, Victoria, last weekend.
Over 145 competitors from across the country took part in the 20th annual Angus Youth Roundup sponsored by Thomas Foods International that was a roaring success.
Combining cattle competitions, junior events, scholarships, educational sessions and team activities, the Roundup is considered a premier event and the largest single breed heifer show held within Australia.
The first day kicked off with practical based learning sessions and discussions that included animal health and reproduction, livestock marketing and live assessment, pastures and meat 101.
Roundup coordinator Murk Schoen, Corowa, said the educational sessions were a success.
“All of the industry speakers were very excited to see how enthusiastic the competitors were and their interest in agriculture and the beef industry,” Mr Schoen said.
Among educational sessions and junior events at the 2018 Thomas Foods International Angus Youth Roundup, cattle judging took place with Guy Lord, Walcha, overseeing the day.
The champion bred and owned animal was J and C My Lady M35 exhibited by Casey Halliday, with reserve champion going to Goondoola Navy N02 shown by Hannah Powe, Cargo.
Billaglen Man of War M5 was the champion bull led by Hannah Cargill, Braidwood, and Blackstone Ninja N10 shown by Tomas Bond, Meadows, SA, was reserve.
Champion steer was Goondoola Nutcracker N11 shown by Sam Parish and reserve was Knowla Nigel shown by Johnny Fish.
Banquet Angus, Mortlake, Vic, had a triumphant show exhibiting the junior champion heifer, Banquet Alice N023, shown by Holly McLeod; reserve junior champion heifer, Banquet Lass N024, shown by Will Kosch; senior champion heifer, Banquet Dream M006, shown by Dianna Branson, and reserve senior champion heifer, Banquet Mermaid M230, shown by Hamish Branson.
Two Red Angus heifers took out the intermediate sections with champion going to Goonoo Red Mort M30, shown by Damon Harrington and reserve champion to Goondoola Gold M24, shown by Charlotte Nugent.
Champion cow was Dalwhinnie EMP Wilcoola L27 led by Emily Zwiers and reserve champion cow was Goondoola Gold L16 exhibited by Simon Zanin and Kayla Proctor.
Victorian based Lochie McLachlan, PJ Angus, Glenormiston North, had an extremely successful show receiving grand champion parader and junior champion herdsperson as well as exhibiting the best presented animal of the show.
Continuing his success, Mr McLachlan was named the recipient of the Matthew George Citizenship Award sponsored by the Victorian Angus State Committee.
Waterlilli Angus owner Lilli Stewart, Birregurra, Vic, took out grand champion herdsperson. Ms Stewart was also successful in placing top five in the junior judging competition.
Grand champion junior judge went to Hannah Powe from Goondoola Red Angus, Cargo. Goondoola was named the best maintained stall.
Steph Frankham received the major award of the show being the 2018 recipient of the Trans-Tasman Exchange award that allows her to travel to New Zealand to gain an insight into the countries beef industry and Angus genetics on a global scale.
The Bulliac Studmaster Award was awarded to Sarah Nesbitt, Cooma, who receives a stud Angus heifer from the Hill family from Bulliac Angus, Qld.
Sam Parish, Dubbo, was the recipient of the Merridale Angus Aspiring Breeder Award and also received a registered Angus stud heifer from the Collin’s family of Merridale Angus, Vic.
Monique Estrada was the recipient of the Dalwhinnie Angus Award and received two embryos from the Fredericksen family, Orange.
Other major award winners included: Waitara Angus National All Breeds Heifer Show Award – Robert Neill; Blackstone Angus SA Junior Heifer Expo Award – Chloe Beaumont, and EJ Angus Encouragment Award –Hannah Cargill.
The Stewart Award, recognising a person that has contributed a large amount of time to the Angus Youth program was awarded to Jasmine Nixon.
Murk and Kate Schoen, Aarden Angus, Coorowa, coordinated the event and were the recipients of the 2018 David and Kathleen Cornell Shield.
The Thomas Foods International Angus Youth Roundup special dinner dance sponsored by Angus Australia, Red Angus Society of Australia, the Graham Centre and Charles Sturt University had over 300 attendees and raised $21,000 during the silent and live auctions.
Mr Schoen said the event was a success all round with “nothing but positive feedback received”.