In early May this year, Cara Park Salers notched up five years of involvement with the South East Cattle Handlers Workshop.  Their involvement started back in 2015 when Cara Park Salers was asked if they could supply animals that were quiet and broken to lead at the workshop so secondary school students could start learning the basics of showing cattle.

Cara Park Pedro being used in the ringcraft session

This year the workshop was held on the 2nd of May at the Mount Gambier show grounds with 8 schools attending form both South Australia and Victoria with a bit under 100 participants.  The weather was kind to them and the wind and rain held off until after the event finished.

Cara Park Salers supplied six animals (three weaner bulls and three weaner heifers) into the workshop for students to handle or to wash.  As this was only these animals 2nd major trailer trip and public display, the Salers docile even temperament showed through.  All animals behaved well and accepted the multiple beginner leaders without battering an eye lid.

In addition to the hands on sessions on ringcraft (leading an animal) and how to wash/blow-dry and prep an animal for a ring the students also had lecturers on structure, cattle nutrition, clipping and breeding technologies.  At the end of the day a Judging competition was held, school Vs school.  Congratulations to Bordertown High School for winning the perpetual judging trophy.

“I am more than happy to be involved in the South East Cattle Handlers Workshop because of its benefit to the Agricultural sector.  It also allows students to gain specialized skills and confidence in showing cattle.  If we can keep young people interested in Agriculture, we might be able to keep them within our rural communities” said Roslyn Curtis, Cara Park Salers manager.  She continues,  “It’s  really cool to see some of these student latter in teh year compete at the local shows with their school steers”

Cara Park animals taking a break during the cattle handlers workshop

Cara Park Past Time during a ringcraft session