NEWS

LIMOUSIN YOUTH SHINE AT DUBBO NATIONAL ALL BREEDS HEIFER SHOW

Report provided by Angus Barlow
Under clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 20’s The 2011 National All Breeds Heifer Show at Dubbo, NSW, has been “done and dusted” for another year. Held last weekend at the Dubbo showground, the show catered for the youth of the beef industry and included all facets of showing, parading and judging and is designed for youth to perform with limited senior help.

The most coveted prize of $1000 is for the Jackpot Heifer where all heifers are entered and is judged by a trio of judges. This year we were all delighted to see Limousin Junior member, Rachel Relf and her magnificent heifer Ten Mile Freida Carlow (by Deepfields Honey’s Justice) strut her stuff in the ring to take out this most prestigious award. This is no mean feat as the central west of NSW is pretty much biased towards the Angus, Shorthorn and Poll Hereford breeds.

Before some bemused onlookers and after some very lengthy deliberation from the judge and his associate, Ten Mile Freda Carlow missed out on Champion Intermediate Heifer status to take out the Reserve ribbon instead. Rachel was also awarded Reserve Senior Champion Parader and was cheered on by her mum Jenelle.

Don and Sarah Riley set up camp at the showground for the three days along with their great kids, AJ and Millie (both Junior members) and a team of heifers that any aspiring Limousin breeder would love to have. Black heifer Newton-Wood Elegant ( by Wulfs Shop Talk ) was an awe inspiring deep bodied, structurally correct, feminine female (with a rear end on her similar to a current Grand Slam female tennis player) that just skated around the ring and pulled up in a correct stance just about every time. She eventually wore the Reserve Champion Senior Heifer ribbon, once again no mean feat as competing in a “hostile” environment where British Breeds generally “rule the roost”.

Not to be outdone by an animal, Millie went on a winning streak that no person could possibly better. She was crowned Intermediate Champion Judge, Parader and Herdsman a very rare trifecta by anyone’s standards. Not to be left in the shadow of his younger sister, AJ blew them all away in the judging stakes to eventually win in a hand canter. He was crowned Grand Champion Judge of the show which earns him the Associate Judge roll at next year’s event. The Riley’s hospitality “around the camp fire” was also a winner for the family as no one was turned away.

In other pleasing results local Dubbo girl, Tyla Comerford (all of 13 and a dead ringer for actress Cameron Diaz) and soon to be new Junior member attained the Reserve Champion Junior Herdsman ribbon after running second in her heat. It was great to see Dubbo College Senior Campus revive their interest in showing cattle under the guidance of new and ever eager teacher Kylee Heslop. With most of her students being novices I don’t think there was one of them went home without an encouragement award. Rumour has it that Kylee wants to have the school become a member of the Limousin Society.

Last but not least was a prize up for grabs where there is no second place, where there is only one clear cut winner and that prize is Champion Breed. Well guess what, LIMOUSINS bloody won it!!! And it was only achieved by the camaraderie, teamwork and all working for the common cause of promoting our wonderful breed in the best possible light.

I apologise if I leave out anybody’s name but a big hearty congratulations not only goes out to the people I’ve already spoken about but to Michael Stacey, Kyla Dalton (Junior member), Bonnie Minehan (Junior member), Will (Junior member) and sister Kate Loudon, Kate Berryman, Trent Hazel, Steph Spittles, Ashlee Purviss, Lucy Bernasconi, Kayla Giddings and Eliza Quinn on achieving possibly the best award.

It was also great to catch up with energetic livestock agent, Limousin enthusiast and breeder Ashley Clark who took time out to call in and peruse the fine line up of Limousin animals. It was dually noted after his departure around the camp fire and after a few “bevvies” that Ashley had taken out the“Jackpot Heifer” human version award!!!!

All in all a fantastic all round effort on everyone’s behalf and the results speak for themselves. I’m always wary of the old saying “rooster one day, feather duster the next” but it is nice to be able to crow occasionally !!!

Footnote; The heifer Newton-Wood Elegant was purchased from the 2011 National Limousin Sale by junior members, AJ and Amelia Riley for their Wyalla Limousin stud at Duri, NSW. She won a strong heifer class at Brisbane Royal in August and stood Reserve Senior Heifer at the Dubbo heifer show. It is great to see a heifer purchased from the National Sale by junior members doing so well.

SA Junior Heifer Expo 2011 Report – Hannah Powe

This year at the Limousin Youth Heifer Show I was lucky enough to win Grand Champion Herdsman and receive a scholarship sponsored by the Gommers family who own the Mandayen Limousin Stud to the SA Junior Heifer Expo for 2011.

I began my trip on Friday the 15th of July where I had the opportunity to spend the weekend at the Gommers family property just out of Murray Bridge. This was a great experience as it gave me an insight into how a large stud operation works as well as gave me the opportunity to meet my steer Mandayen Cookie Monster and work with him for a bit to get used to him before arriving at the show.

On the following Monday, Damien, his daughter Emily and I travelled into Adelaide to set up, register and settle in for the coming show.

The week started off with a day packed full of lectures, activities and an inspirational talk from the World Champion Wood-Chopper David Foster which was great! Junior judging and animal classes were run on the next day where I was successful in receiving first place in the light-weight steer section with the Mandayen Limousin steer I borrowed. At night, we were kept busy with our marketing assignments and team activities which were a great way to get to know each other and bring the younger kids out of their shells whilst relaxing and having a bit of fun!

The last day of the show was very busy with paraders, champion cattle classes and interviews being run all around the same time. I was lucky enough to obtain one of the six interviews offered to the intermediate group with representatives from the NAB Agri Business sector. This interview process provided me with a chance to communicate with people in the business side of the agriculture industry and also offered me an opportunity to gain experience in being interviewed about my personal career aspirations, knowledge of the beef industry and everything that has been happening the past few days.

Following the interview, I went straight into paraders, the champion steer class and my buddies champion calf class. Within these classes, my buddy and I were both successful with her heifer obtaining Champion Calf and my steer receiving Reserve Champion Steer.

Presentation came next, where I was successful in receiving 3rd place in the intermediate section which meant I was the 2nd runner up in the NAB Agri Business Education Scholarship.

The SA Junior Heifer Expo is a heifer show that offers a lot of opportunities for those who have an interest in and passion for both the agriculture and the beef industries. It combines various aspects of showing, lectures and assignments to establish an insightful, beneficial show for people of all experience levels. It offers people the chance to gain different experiences whether it is just in animal skills, marketing strategies or professionalism and how to present yourself appropriately.

Anyone thinking of attending the SA Junior Heifer Expo in coming years, I strongly advise you to do so whether it be trying for scholarship to go with someone or going by yourself. It really is an eye opener and a great experience that will give you the chance to meet people from across the country whilst allowing you to gain skills that are vital for anything and everything.

Again, I would like to thank the Gommers family for sponsoring this scholarship and providing me with the opportunity to stay at their house for a few days and attend a heifer show that was extremely insightful and a great experience. Without them I would not have been able to do so well so a big THANKYOU!