SA youth claim big awards in largest Angus Roundup in history
South Australians have come away with many of the major awards in the largest Angus Youth Roundup in the event's history.
They made up about a dozen of the 229 entrants from across Australia who participated in a four day program of cattle handling, junior judging, educational sessions, a mock bull auction and barnyard Olympics in Tamworth, NSW.
Young Simmental breeder Olivia Baker, Furner, led the way as the grand champion junior judge at the NH Foods Angus Youth Roundup.
Ms Baker - who is about to commence Year 12 - was attending her first Roundup although she has been to many SA Junior Heifer Expos.
She won her age group with placings, and reasons across five classes they were asked to judge, and then came out on top in the final class of six bulls.
"I have always enjoyed judging but being in a new environment really pushed me," she said.
"It definitely helps growing up around it (stud cattle) and learning from Mum and Dad - they are the reason that I know what I do."
As the champion judge, Ms Baker will be invited to be the associate judge for the cattle judging at next year's Angus Roundup in Wodonga, Vic.
She borrowed a commercial SimAngus heifer from GB Livestock, Braidwood, NSW, to attend the event and was also named the champion herdsperson for her age group.
"It is a really prestigious award to win as it is for your all-round abilities not just how you present and lead your animal but how you help others and your knowledge. It is nice to be recognised for my work," Ms Baker said.
After attending the RoundUp at Tamworth last year with balloted heifers, the Hann family, Nampara stud, decided to make the more than 3000 kilometre round trip with nine of their own cattle.
They also had three heifers from Phillips Cattle Co, Naracoorte, on the truck.
Nat Hann said it was a great event and a chance for their children to meet another group of young cattle enthusiasts or see their friends from last year, learn more about the Angus breed and have lots of fun.
"I was very impressed to see how the SA kids interacted with not only each other but everyone at the Roundup," she said.
"They conducted themselves so professionally and were so friendly towards others - they really did us proud.
"A lot had a good grounding at the SA Junior Heifer Expo which was obvious in their success at the event."
Emily Hann won the intermediate bursary to attend the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment School to be held later this year. She was also the winner of the marketing award, while her twin sister Maddison was the reserve champion sub-intermediate herdsperson.
Emily and Maddison's younger sister Charlotte was the junior herdsperson and winner of the junior-sub-intermediate marketing.
"As a family it is something we like to do together, they can learn and network and make new connections along the way - it is not a bad way to spend a week of the summer holidays," Mrs Hann said.
Emma Davies, Meadows, was among the top five placegetters of the pee wee herdsperson award and meat judging.
