A KEEN interest in the beef cattle industry backed by a good commercial understanding has allowed a trio of young people to win a steer.
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Brothers Hamish and Edward Maclure of Tarcutta teamed up with Jake Turner of Euabalong in a competition at the recent 2019 Limousin National Junior Show in Moss Vale.
The competition, scrutinised by a panel of judges, attracted teams of three people, aged under 25 years, who were vying to win a steer donated by Garry and Karen Hedger of Garren Park Genetics at Culcairn.
Jeremy Walsh and Kate Loudon, both from the Central West along with Dean McGuire of Tarcutta were the competition judges. Mr McGuire said he was impressed with the amount of thought the Maclure boys and Jake Turner had put into the competition.
"They were really professional and they stood out with their sound knowledge and understanding of the beef cattle industry," he said. Mr McGuire explained that the competition encouraged people to outline their long-term plans for the steer and to also give budget and husbandry information.
All going to plan, the steer will be shown at Sydney Royal in 2020 and will make an appearance at some local shows too.
In addition to winning the steer the Maclure brothers also had success in earning a ribbon for their home-bred Limousin heifer at the Moss Vale event. The heifer from their Keajura Park Limousin Stud was aged 11 months.
In a clear demonstration of their commitment to showing cattle the brothers also headed to the Junior Heifer Expo in South Australia.
It was their third trip to the South Australian event and Hamish won champion intermediate handler and Edward won best presented animal in the sub-intermediate category.
"It was a great win for both of us ... the competition at SA Heifer Expo is of a very high standard," said Hamish.
Showing cattle and learning about the stud industry has helped the boys to develop a strong understanding of agriculture and the seed stock sector.
They have learned resilience and confidence.
"You need to stay calm with your animal and just get in and do the best you can," Hamish said.
And as for speaking on the microphone and testing their skills junior judging opportunities were considered invaluable.
"The more junior judging you do the better you get ," he said.
In addition to attending the cattle shows both brothers, Edward, who attends the Wagga Christian College, and Hamish of Yanco Agricultural High School, were participants in the inter-schools auctioneers competition at The Riverina Anglican College on Friday.
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