Who’s headed to Tocal?
The 2023 crop of Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course Scholarship recipients has been selected, and the Angus Foundation is pleased to inform that attending the course in December will be Millie Moore, Libby Falkiner, Edwina Hall and Sophie Hanna and Riley Badenoch.
Taking place on 4th– 6th December 2023 and organised by Angus NSW, the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course is widely recognised as the most practical and hands on beef cattle selection course of its kind.
The course covers a wide range of topics ranging from using EBV’s, structural conformation and selection of market utilising Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus breeds and their crosses and will help participants through developing practical skills and information. Furthermore, the course brings together likeminded individuals, presenting networking opportunities for attendees.
Upon their return from the course, each of the recipients will each provide a report detailing their experience of the course and what they took away from it.
Angus Australia Extension Officer Nancy Crawshaw looks forward to hearing from the recipients regarding their take homes from the course.
“Each of this year’s recipients have a different background in the industry and are each looking to further their understanding of cattle selection so that they are able to build their skills set and more well-rounded members of the industry.”
“The Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course provides a practical and hands-on approach to cattle selection, and I look forward to seeing our recipients prosper in the environment and broaden not only their knowledge and understanding of the cattle selection, but also their professional networks through the experience,” she said.
Millie Moore
Millie Moore grew up on a hobby farm on the Fleurieu Peninsula, SA, which kicked off her love of beef cattle. From there, she attended an agricultural high school and went on to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences in Adelaide, graduating in 2019.
Millie has since commenced a role in pasture agronomy and seed sales, as well as purchasing a few beef cattle of her own and engaging in a range of industry opportunities. She is passionate and aims to take every opportunity to learn more about beef. Millie is excited to grow her networks and knowledge at Tocal, which she can apply to her own operation as well as the broader beef industry.
Libby Falkiner
Libby Falkiner grew up in South-western Victoria on a mixed farm featuring an Angus Seedstock operation. Her upbring provided a brilliant introduction to the many aspects of cattle breeding and farm life and has ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine with a key focus on large animals.
Now in her fourth year of Vet at CSU in Wagga, Libby has become increasingly aware of the need to build upon the experience she gained through her rural upbringing and expand her skills around the broader aspects of beef production. She aspires to one day to work alongside farmers in a veterinary role that delivers a more complete service to the rural community she enters.
Libby hopes that by adding the practical skills that she will learn at the Tocal Beef Assessment School to the knowledge she is gaining from her tertiary education, she will understand in greater depth the many aspects associated with productive, profitable and sustainable beef production.
Edwina Hall
Edwina is a third-generation beef farmer from Flinders Island (TAS), where she works alongside her parents on their family property ‘Four Winds’. Currently studying a Bachelor of Agriculture through Charles Sturt University by distance, Edwina has her own small Angus herd and a 200ha property.
In 2021, Edwina participated in the GenAngus Future Leaders Program, crediting the program for expanding her mindset in business and increasing her confidence. Edwina’s role within the family business sees her responsible for the grazing management and animal husbandry at ‘Four Winds’. She sees the Tocal Beef Assessment School as an opportunity to strengthen her skillset, ensuring her continual progression within the family business.
Sophie Hanna
Sophie Hanna is a passionate, driven and enthusiastic agricultural science graduate who aspires to contribute the advancement and continued prosperity of Australian agriculture. Sophie’s love for agriculture and rural communities stems from her family’s commercial Angus beef cattle farm at Walwa in Northeast Victoria, where her interest and involvement continues.
Currently, as a Livestock Officer with Riverine Plains, Sophie connects with industry leaders, innovative research, and proactive farmers to integrate and extend technical insights and empower advancement of production and sustainability. Sophie is excited to expand her practical beef assessment skills and industry knowledge at the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course.
Riley Badenoch
Riley Badenoch is a 24-year-old from Mount Gambier, South Australia. Riley grew up on a sheep and cattle farm, which ignited his passion for agriculture. After completing school, Riley pursued a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, which sparked his interest in high-intensity production systems. This interest led him to work with a large cattle company on King Island, Tasmania, where he honed his skills in rotational grazing and cattle management. Seeking more knowledge and experience, particularly in genetics, Riley then joined Raff Angus, a fully organic certified stud, where the Raff family has been instrumental in advancing his agricultural career to this day.
