Gaining experience at stud, saleyards
Brigitte Collins hasn't has much to do with the beef industry, but she's learning as much as she can, and she's even purchased her first female with a goal to establish a stud.
The 22-year-old Victorian has been working at Dajory Murray Greys for about a year, as well as the local saleyards, while studying a Certificate III in Agriculture through TAFE.
"I haven't had much to do with cattle, but when I met my partner Josh McRae, and his family owns Dajory stud, I had to learn quickly," Miss Collins said.
She's been on the show circuit with the Dajory team, most recently exhibiting at Royal Melbourne Show in September.
"That was my first royal and my heifer was first in her class, the bull was first in his, and another bull was second.
"I also won the stud beef handlers competition."
She handles the registration of animals, general farm work, breaking and show preparation.
"I'd never attended a youth event before April this year at Wodonga and that was my first go at breaking in cattle," Miss Collins said.
"I was second in the handler competition in my first time leading an animal and I received a New Zealand scholarship so I head over there this month."
Evolving Murray Greys for the future
The ARCBA conference was a valuable learning experience for Murray Grey Youth president Crystal Bell, who will take greater knowledge back to her Prairie Falls stud at Breakaway Creek, near Hamilton in Victoria.
The 25-year-old helps her partner Geordie Elliott run the 40-head Prairie Falls Murray Grey stud, alongside 40 stud Boer goats, on 52 hectares.
Miss Bell is originally from the Mornington Peninsula, but her grandparents Graham and Lorna Wesley had the Orcadia Park Murray Grey stud, so she started showing cattle with her school and helping her family.
She set up her stud at the age of 18 and has never looked back, achieving success in the show ring.
"The first heifer I purchased was reserve champion junior heifer in the interbreed at Royal Melbourne Show in 2013," Miss Bell said.
She attends the Royal Melbourne Show each year, along with the Royal Adelaide Show, where she's had the supreme female exhibit, and a few local shows.
Miss Bell, who also has a full-time job as a council ranger, has been the youth group's president for about 18 months, and is heavily involved in programs and events, including the group's annual stock show.
"I've been part of the youth group since I got into the breed," Miss Bell said.
"We have a great group of young people who want to evolve the breed for the future."
Ruth Schwager
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
