The South Australian Junior Heifer Show is a highlight on any beef industry junior's calendar and the 2008 event proved no exception, particularly for the strong contingent of Angus Youth members that travelled from 3 different states to attend. Over 150 heifers, steers and their handlers converged on the Adelaide Showgrounds to take part in 4 days full of educational demonstrations, team activities and competitions.

The trip from New South Wales was well worth it for intermediate competitor Caitlin Berecry from Inverell. Caitlin and her sister Lauren, both enthusiastic Angus Youth members, run the Mirabella Angus and Aurora Gelbvieh studs with their parents. Having attended 2 Roundups since joining Angus Youth, Caitlin was well prepared for the South Australian competition. Caitlin took out not only first place in her handlers class but when on to convincingly win the Stock Journal's Intermediate Champion Handler. She also showed great talent in the marketing department receiving the LG Matten Intermediate Marketing Award. To cap off a very successful show Caitlin was also awarded the highest accolade in the Intermediate section receiving the prestigious NAB Agribusiness Intermediate Education Scholarship Award, which is judged over the whole 4 days of the show and takes into account all aspects of herdsmanship.

Runner-up for NAB Agribusiness Intermediate Education Scholarship Award, was another keen Angus Youth member Kate Boardman from Camden . Kate has been an Angus Youth member for the past 3 years and with her family run the Orlanga Angus Stud. Kate also won her handlers class but her ability really shined in the junior judging section, winning the Intermediate section and receiving the LJ Hooker Intermediate Junior Judging Competition Award.

The success of Angus Youth members didn't stop there with Chad Williamson of Guyra also winning his handlers class and going on to receive Reserve Champion Intermediate Handler. Dianna Branson of Mortlake made her mark representing Victoria , winning the Reserve Champion Sub-Intermediate Handler.

The Angus Youth broad ribbon tally was also continued in the senior section with one of this year's Landmark Ambassadors Sam Martin of North Turramurra, winning both the RA & HS of SA Senior Encouragement Award and the SA Angus Society Committee Encouragement Award for the Senior Junior Judging Competition which included a sponsored trip to the South Australian Cattle Assessment School in Keith.

Angus Youth Management Committee member Jasmine Nixon of Roslyn was Runner-up in the Rabobank Senior Marketing Award and also received the Rabobank Award for Reserve Senior Champion Herdsman.

All these members competed at the National Landfall Angus Youth Roundup in Bendigo earlier this year and Angus Youth is very proud of their continued successes and involvement in the beef industry. The 2009 National Landfall Angus Youth Roundup is being held from January 15 th - 18 th at Exhibition Park in Canberra , ACT. For more information please contact Angus Youth on (02) 6773 4608 or check it out at 2009 Roundup.

By Jasmine Nixon.