Angus Youth set industry standard with fundraising events

Offering scholarship programs and extensive educational opportunities to young Angus breeders, the group falls under the Angus Australia umbrella and is a member-driven organisation.

The organisation is formally led by the Angus Australia Extension team, with assistance from a consultative committee, who are enthusiastic about the future of the breed and wider beef industry.

Angus Australia extension officer Nancy Crawshaw works closely with the group and said the past year has seen major wins for Angus Youth with members attending cadetships and learning programs.

"We also saw Rebecca George finally able to travel to the USA and study at Kansas State University," Ms Crawshaw said. Rebecca won the scholarship in 2019 but COVID-19 restrictions meant she wasn't able to travel until this year. "It was really exciting to get her over there."

Rebecca spent a semester attending a range of different classes across the Animal Science and College of Agriculture programs and experienced the US beef supply chain from leading seedstock operations, cow calf operations, through to feedlots and the end supply chain.

The 2023 recipient of the Kansas State University Scholarship was awarded to Victorian Libby Falkiner who said she is incredibly excited to head off to K State some time next year.

"It's not often as a student that you have the capacity to develop such a tailored academic program, the significance of these unique circumstances is not lost on me," she said.

"I am looking forward to wholeheartedly embracing life in Manhattan and aspire to capitalise on opportunities both in and out of the classroom. The contacts this scholarship provides opens so many doors."

In further exciting news for Angus Youth, Ms Crawshaw said the 2023 crop of Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course scholarship recipients Millie Moore, Libby Falkiner, Edwina Hall, Sophie Hanna and Riley Badenoch enjoyed attending the course in early December.

"The Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course is widely recognised as the most practical and hands-on beef cattle selection course of its kind."

Covering a wide range of topics, from using EBVs to structural conformation and selection of market utilising Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus breeds, the course will help participants develop practical skills.

"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," Ms Crawshaw said.

"The Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course provides a practical and hands-on approach to cattle selection.

"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.

"Having mentors in the industry for them to go to for guidance as they build their own path is so important."

Another standout for Angus Youth is the GenAngus Future Leaders Program which, now in its fifth year, is the flagship program of the industry alliance between Angus Australia and Achmea Australia.

The program brings together the next generation of agricultural leaders to gain business skills and knowledge to help them start their own beef cattle business or further advance their existing business.

Held in Adelaide, the three-day intensive workshop connected participants with a wide range of industry professionals on current and emerging themes impacting the future of beef production and the agricultural industry.

Angus Australia's extension manager Jake Phillips said GenAngus has become a pinnacle event for Angus Australia.

"What we find is that there are really measurable things that people are bringing out of this program and putting into their lives and their businesses, and it is something that we're extremely proud of," he said.

"It certainly wouldn't have got to where it is today without this alliance, with Angus Australia and Achmea Australia having now provided this opportunity to 60 young people across Australia and New Zealand."

Ms Crawshaw said Angus producers went above and beyond this year with a number of major donations coming from livestock auctions including an amazing $40,000 raised at the Knowla livestock sale in July.

The donations will go directly to funding scholarships, awards and bursaries to support the ongoing development of young emerging members of Australian beef industry and the Angus breed.

"We would like to thank the Laurie Family greatly for their tremendous support for our program," he said. "This donation will go far in the way of continuing the various initiatives that the Angus Foundation has in place, as well as helping us to continue to establish new ways to support the young people in our industry.

"This has been a very generous offer from the Laurie family of Knowla and comes straight off the back of them purchasing the Dulverton Angus Foundation heifer, donated by the Chappell family, for $16,000 alongside Jason Strong."

With Beef Australia 2024 on the horizon, Ms Crawshaw said the foundation would again be awarding three scholarships for young members to attend the major event and participate in the innovative program.

"This is a world class event and we're encouraging members between 18 and 30 to apply."

Each scholarship provides $1500 to help cover accommodation in Rockhampton, return air travel (Brisbane to Rockhampton), an event pass and spending money.