ANGUS INVADE WODONGA FOR ROUNDUP 2010

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Angus cattle, their handlers, parents, volunteers and others invaded the Wodonga Exhibtion Centre over the weekend as the annual Landfall Angus Youth Roundup swung into action for another year. 147 participants and over 150 cattle arrived in assorted trucks, trailers, utes, cars and caravans from New Zealand and all states of Australia for four days of fun and education.

Young people aged 8 - 25 renewed old friendships and formed new ones over four days of competition and learning. Team events included a treasure hunt, bull auction and barnyard olympics which is always a hit with all participants. Juniors to the event (under 14s) were matched up with seniors to teach and assist them in the finer details of looking after their animals, leading and presentation.

It is not necessary to have or bring your own animal to attend the Landfall Angus Youth Roundup. Through the generous support of many studs extra animals were available for participants. These were allocated through a ballot system.

Interviews were held on Friday for the prestigious Landmark Angus Youth Ambassadorships and New Zealand Exchange scholarship and on Saturday for the Te Mania "Most Potential Breeder" Encouragement award.

Friday and Saturday mornings were filled with a range of talks. For the juniors they ranged from "how not to get kicked", "how animals work" and "what vets do" to the intermediates and seniors with marketing, scanning, feedlots, career panel and cattle structure.

Friday afternoon was the Junior Judging where participants where shown what judges look for when assessing cattle and then let loose to judge a selection of cattle for themselves. Afterwards their scores and assessments were evaluated to select champion and reserve champion judge for each group.

Sunday morning was the pinacle of the Roundup for most particpants. This was the Parading competition, where those new to the show ring got to put what they had learned into practice.

The Roundup finally finished Sunday afternoon with the presentation of awards. These include the Landmark Angus Youth Ambassadors, the NZ Exchange, the Matthew George citizenship award and the herdsperson awards which are assessed over the entire four days and include all aspects of looking after your animal, your presentation, attitute and community spirit.

Angus Youth Ambassadors:

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The Landmark Angus Youth Ambassadors for 2010, Cameron Cutler, Willow Grove, VIC;
Melinda Cookson, Tamworth, NSW; Kimberley Smede, Turill, NSW and Lauren Berecry, Inverell, NSW
with Peter Godbold, Landmark, Albury, NSW.

New Zealand Exchange Scholarship:

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New Zealand Exchange award winner Melinda Cookson, Tamworth, NSW
with Angus Australia past president Derek Lotz, Bereena, Gundagai, NSW.

Matthew George Citizendship Award:

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The Matthew George Citizendship Award winner Melissa Ball, Christmas Hills, VIC with
David George, Beaufort, VIC.

PJ Cattle Co. SA Junior Heifer Expo Award:

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The PJ Cattle Co award winner Kimberley Smede, Turill, NSW (second from left) with the McLauchlan family of
PJ Cattle Co, Dundonnell, VIC; Phil, Jo and Lauchlan. The award involves a place at the SA Junior Heifer Show.

Te Mania Most Potential Breeder Encouragement Award:

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Karen Golding, Little Meadows Angus, Waterloo, WA, presents the Te Mania Encouragement Award to Kate Boardman, Armidale, NSW. Kate receives a registered Te Mania heifer as the award.

Senior Champion Herdperson:

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Carol Grylls, EJ Angus, Pakenham South, VIC, presents the champion senior herdsperson award to
Nathan O'Sullivan, Wangaratta, VIC. The award includes the clipping chute shown in the background.

Senior Junior Judges:

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The champion senior judge, Tahnee Manton, Inverell, NSW and the reserve champion Jasmin Nixon, Taralga, NSW. They both recieve a place at their local Cattle Assessment School.

2010 Roundup Awards

Junior Herdsperson
Judges: Mark & Libby Skillbeck

Intermediate Herdsperson
Judges: Nathan Stevens and Fiona McWilliams

Senior Herdsperson
Judges: Rob and Natalie Hutchinson

Handlers Competition
Judge: Kerrie Sutherland

Other Articles regarding the Roundup:

• Weekly Times - 20th January 2010
• The Rural - Week Ending 29th January 2010
• The Southern Weekly Magazine - 1st February 2010