Sadie Knight's goal to inspire other young beef breeders

There isn't anything Sadie Knight enjoys more than spending time with her beloved Red Angus cattle.

The 15-year-old student at Adelaide's Urrbrae Agricultural High School, has been around cattle since she was just a toddler, spending time with her grandfather, Christ Highet, on his commercial cattle property in the Adelaide Hills.

At just 14, Sadie established her own Red Angus stud, Highcroft Reds, with Mr Highet purchasing her three foundation females.

"I've always been interested in cattle, especially Red Angus, and thought the best way to really get involved in the industry was to start my own stud, buy some females and start breeding," Sadie said.

"We purchased our females from Sarah Burpee, Drayton Park Red Angus, at Meadows, and grandad is allowing me to run them on his 48 hectare property at Harrogate.

"Granddad used to have Herefords and then made the switch to Red Angus in 2010."

Sadie likes the calm docile nature of cattle, especially Red Angus, and feels very lucky to be in her position.

"Spending time with cattle is something you should never really take for granted," she said.

Starting Year 10 this year, Sadie has recently returned home from the 2025 NH Foods Angus Youth Roundup in Tamworth, after winning an Angus Australia scholarship to attend.

A member of the Red Angus Society of Australia, Sadie was one of two young Red Angus members selected to take part in the roundup.

"It was my first time at the roundup and my favourite part was meeting other cattle breeders and learning new skills," she said.

"I enjoy going to youth camps, as a lot of people are very inspiring."

SHOW SUCCESS

A member of her school cattle team since Year 7, Sadie has enjoyed success at the Adelaide Show in the past.

"Every year I've been we've had success winning most professional show team."

She also won Champion Intermediate Parader at the Clare Show.

With her own cattle, Sadie exhibited the Senior Champion Female at the Murray Bridge Show in 2024, with her two-year-old heifer, Drayton Park Mississipi.

"Mississipi is due to calve in a month with the first calf I've bred. She is in calf to Canadian sire, Triple S Highmark," Sadie said.

"Sarah Burpee has been very helpful since I bought my cattle and she suggested the sire and sourced the straws for me," she said.

"Back in 2023 when I had never broken in a cow before, Sarah was very kind and allowed me to spend six days at her property where we broke in some cattle and she ran me through pretty much everything.

"She has stayed in touch and is always giving me tips as well as coming to shows and encouraging me.

"Mum is also very supportive and drives me to a lot of shows.

"She takes me to Geelong to compete in the stud beef, as well as taking me up to my grandparents so I can spend time with my cattle.

"However, I really couldn't have done any of it without granddad so I owe him a lot."

With her sights set on becoming a high school agriculture teacher, Sadie wants to encourage and inspire the next generation of cattle producers similar to what has been done for her.

"I would also like to work in the USA or Canada which would be a great learning experience."

Sadie believes it would be a dream come true to win one of the youth scholarships on offer through Angus Australia.

She also recently attended International Dairy Week in Tatura, Victoria, and believes that understanding various breeds enriches her knowledge and enhances her own cattle-handling skills.

"I love Red Angus, but I think getting experience with other cattle breeds, dairy and beef, and making connections with different people throughout the industry is very important."