The less than ideal weather conditions didn’t deter 80 plus students at this years South East Cattle Handlers
Workshop.

Cara Park Nikki and her handler look out at the wind and rain.

Eighty eight students from secondary schools across the South East of SA and into Western Victoria converged on the Mount Gambier show grounds to attend the 2018 South East Cattle Handlers Workshop on the 3rd of May this year.

The year 8-11 students were involved in a full day of hands on activities based around the showing and preparation of cattle for show.  A series of rotating lectures covered topics such as ring craft, cattle care, clipping, breeding technologies, fundamentals of livestock judging, washing and drying techniques.

Cara Park Not Late checking out the inside of the cattle shed.

Cara Park Salers supports this educational program by supplying animals for use in the ring craft or washing/drying sessions.  “I am involved in this educational program as I believe it’s very important because our youth are our future farmers!” said Roz Curtis.  “I want to spark an interest or open a door for these students into the agricultural sector.  By doing this we have a chance of keeping our young people within the agricultural industry whether that be directly with showing cattle, general farm work or even the associated service industries like AI technicians, mechanical service or agronomy.  We then have a chance of keeping our regional communities actively alive and growing”

Cara Park Salers had four, one year old animals involved at this years event.  For all these animals, this was their first major off farm event where they were all used and a couple did two rounds of ring craft lectures.  This highlights the Salers even temperament, their tolerance to new surroundings and acceptance of being handled by numerous unknown people.  After a nervous start one participant said at the end of their ring craft lecture “Your bull was so quiet!”

Cara Park Nathan being led in a ring craft session

Despite the cold wind and rain all students stayed to the end where they put their newly learnt skills to the test with a cattle judging competition between the represented schools.  Congratulations “RIST” for taking out this years perpetual judging trophy.

Cara Park Natalie’s handler getting some expert advice