AUSTRALIAN Hereford Youth members have brought home a number of titles from the World Hereford Conference Young Breeders Competition in New Zealand last week.
Two teams of four enthusiastic Hereford breeders represented our country, with both teams tallying up a number of event wins across the six individual competitions including; modules, judging, quiz, presentation, clipping and handling.
Reserve champion team overall, on 433 points out of a possible 600, was the Australian red team comprised of captain Kierin Martin of Kianma Poll Herefords, Forbes, Annie Pumpa, Hurricane stud, Table Top, Brandon Sykes, Mawarra Genetics, Vic, and Connor Evans, Paling Yards.
They were pipped at the post for the champion spot by the New Zealand Hereford Youth team with a score of 444.
The red team defeated the eight other teams when it came to clipping and handling, taking the champion spot in both areas.
Kierin Martin from Kianma Poll Herefords, Forbes, had a particularly successful show winning grand champion handler and grand champion herdsperson.
The herdsperson competition took into consideration the individual's performance in the handling and judging components of the event.
Mr Martin scored 172 points, while teammate Connor Evans was named the reserve champion on 170.14.
Annie Pumpa and Brandon Sykes received most valuable participant awards for the red team.
Also giving it a red hot crack was the Australian white team who took home three broad ribbons including champion team for the farm modules, reserve champion clipping team and reserve champion quiz masters.
The Australian white team consisted of captain Lachlan Woodcock from Lachanora Herefords, Tas, Helen De Costa from Double H Herefords, Currawarna, Janet Cantwell from Mulloon Poll Herefords, Mulloon, and Alicia Trovatello from Glendan Park Herefords, Vic.
Mr Woodcock received the most valuable participant award for the white team, while Ms De Costa placed third overall for the handling section. Their team finished fourth overall.
Since returning from NZ, team members have been advised to self isolate for 14 days. Yesterday the World Hereford Conference 2020 announced "that one person, a few days after returning to his home country, tested positive for COVID-19".
