New DairySA initiative the Next Gen Challenge is hoping to inspire people to learn new skills and take the next step in their dairy careers.
The semi-finalists were announced at last week’s DairySA conference and DairySA extension officer Bec Walsmley said the challenge was about tapping into the goals of people in the industry and pairing them up with industry specialists.
“We’ve got a heap of young people here in SA that aren’t going to just go on-farm, but the next level progression in their career is still involved in dairy,” she said.
The semi-finalists are Steph Walker, Mount Jagged, Brett Fiebig, Strathalbyn, Reece Donhardt, Mount Compass, Sam Martin, Wall Flat, Casey Treloar, Victor Harbor, Craig Hamilton, OB Flat, Ebony King, Parawa, Ben Wilhelm, Mount Torrens, Haydn Pocock, Echunga, Adrian Dauk, Delamere, Scott Braendler, Jervois, and Josh Cavill, Bool Lagoon.
We’ve got a heap of young people in SA that aren’t going to just go on-farm, but the next level progression in their career is still involved in dairy.
- BEC WALMSLEY
In search of future career opportunities, Rockwella Farm employee Ebony King, 20, said she joined the challenge for the chance to network with other young dairyfarmers and hoped to gain some more knowledge in how to step up in the industry.
“I want to gain more experience in judging cattle and to eventually become a breeding advisor as my passion is breeding and genetic gains in cattle,” she said.
Martin Dairies Trust’s Sam Martin, 29, looks forward to meeting other like-minded people and to be able to get support from other farmers and service providers.
“I hope to be able to promote the dairy industry as well as getting to know other young farmers in the state,” he said.
The next event for the challenge’s finalists will be a two-day retreat in Strathalbyn next month with Western Dairy regional manager Esther Jones, who will work with the group on public speaking and teaching them how to be better communicators.
At the completion of the challenge two finalists will be chosen for a $2000 bursary, one for an owner or operator and the other for an employee.
The winners will be announced at the DairySA Innovation Day and dinner in Mount Gambier on June 7.
