Dairy youth camp develops young farmers
Monday 09 January 2012 | From NCDEA
The National All Breeds Dairy Youth Camp was held from 3 to 7 January at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds with 40 participants from Victoria, NSW, SA, TAS, QLD, WA and New Zealand attending.
The camp is for participants aged 16 – 20 and aims to support young people as they develop their interest in the dairy industry. During the week camp participants develop confidence in handling dairy heifers, learn judging, showing and clipping skills and discuss breeding and new technology.
Each participant has the opportunity to care for one of 35 heifers that were generously supplied by Geoff Akers of Loxleigh Jerseys, Northern Victoria and Pam and Kellie Malcolm of Paringa Holsteins, Invergordon. Throughout the week their duties included daily feeding, watering, monitoring and preparing the heifer for Exhibition Day.
Participants were allocated to one of the following 8 groups: Semex, Genetics Australia, YDDP, CRV, Holstein Australia, Jersey Australia, ABS and HICO.
The camp also enables participants to undertake units of competency from the Certificate II in Agriculture qualification through the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia.
Emma Luddington from East Hills in NSW was the winner of the judging section of the National All Dairy Breeds Youth Camp. She was also announced winner of the 2012 Overall Genetics Australia Sheri Martin Memorial Scholarship. Erin says will use her $2000 scholarship ‘to complete a course in Artificial Insemination and other Agricultural studies’.
Nicole Johnson from Hawera in New Zealand was sponsored by Holstein New Zealand to attend the National All Breeds Youth Camp. Nicole was the winner of the Clipping section. Hamish McFee from Finley, NSW won the Champion Showmanship class. Cameron McDonald from Deniliquin, New South Wales was winner of the Novice showmanship section.
The team award went to Genetics Australia for the second year.
Chairman of the National All Dairy Breeds Youth Camp committee, Alex Walker says that "The Camp is a fantastic opportunity for young people who want to investigate opportunities in the dairy industry and meet new people with similar interests.”
“The dairy industry is a source of rewarding careers and the Camp is an innovative program that encourages young people to investigate opportunities within the dairy industry,” Tim said.
Collaboration with dairy industry organisations is integral to the running of the Camp and the camp today wouldn’t be where it is without its generous industry sponsors including: Genetics Australia, Holstein Australia, Jersey Australia, Semex, CRV, YDDP, ABS Australia and HICO.
Other sponsors included Dairy Australia, NCDEA, Heiniger, Preformance Pro-Biotics, Fonterra, Warrnambool Cheese and Butter, NHIA, Phizer and ADHIS.
Other highlights of the National All Dairy Breeds Youth Camp:
- 90% of participants gaining employment at IDW
- A participant from suburban Sydney winning the scholarship
- The passion and commitment of 40 participants
- The commitment of Youth Camp Committee members to the training of participants
- The support received from sponsors.
For information on NCDEA dairy farming courses visit www.ncdea.edu.au or phone 1300 0 NCDEA (1300 62332).
For media requests, please contact Luke Prime on 1300 0 62332 or Kelly Charlton on 0408 090 818.