THE SA Sheep Expo offers valuable learning experiences for those aged between 12 and 23 who are interested in the sheep industry, whatever their experience.
With three age groups – senior, intermediate and junior – plus a buddy system where seniors oversee and assist the youngest group members, a valuable and hands-on learning environment is created.
With a fresh program each year, industry experts are assembled on a multitude of sheep industry subject areas to explain important aspects for future success.
Another huge benefit is the networking opportunities available, with both experts and peers.
This latter aspect was emphasised as a huge benefit by three of last year’s participants, one from each age group, and all with previous sheep industry experiences.
Junior participant Harrison Wall, 12, from Braidwood, NSW, whose family run a 200 ewe White Suffolk stud, said he really enjoyed last year’s SA Sheep Expo.
“Everyone was friendly and there were kids from all over the country who were great to hang out with. I am really looking forward to catching up with them all at this year’s expo,” he said.
At the other end of the age spectrum is Royce Pitchford, a senior last year from Echunga has been involved with sheep since he was 12 and started his own Corriedale stud when just 14 years old.
“I found the networking between students of great benefit; getting to learn more about the sheep operations of others and to build a network of industry contacts,” Royce said.
Intermediate group member Jack Walker, from Lucindale where his family runs 2000 commercial ewes mainly for prime lamb production said the highlights for him were the new people he got to meet, along with the interesting lessons he participated in.
“I found these so beneficial and enjoyable because I got to network with industry workers and learn many new things that I can apply on the family farm,” he said.
For Harrison, sessions on artificial insemination, drafting and yard handling techniques were his highlight subject areas.
“I didn’t know much about artificial insemination as we simply put the rams in with the ewes, and the drafting and yard handling sessions gave me some good ideas on how we could improve our yards at home,” Harrison said.
Jack’s highlights were much broader based, saying he gained valuable information and learnt many new things across all subject areas.
“Overall, I would rate my expo experience highly because of all the skills I have learnt and the new people I have met,” he said.
Royce, who has had widespread industry experience said having been to other events such as the National Merino Challenge, he had already experienced a lot of the content before, but he still found the expo great as it covered and reinforced a lot of valuable information and was an enjoyable few days.
“However, the topics such as low stress stock handling and dog training were highlights as I hadn’t covered them before,” he said.
The longer-term objective of the expo is to give the sheep industry’s youth more exposure to valuable learning experiences to enhance their base knowledge for a sheep industry career, or to open up doors so that such a career becomes a probability rather than a remote possibility.
Royce has already taken that step, having finished university last year with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and he now has a job with Rural Directions in Clare as one of their consultants, assisting farm businesses in ways to increase productivity and profitability.
“The expo, along with other extra-curricular activities certainly helped me gain the necessary experience to achieve this position,” he said.
While the new job constraints will probably restrict Royce’s participation in this year’s expo, he said he would certainly recommend the expo to others, especially those who don’t know that much about the sheep industry.
Jack said he was looking to pursue a career in the industry, possibly as a shearer or stock agent.
“I believe the expo has helped me; and will continue to assist me in pursuit of a sheep industry career because of the skills I have learnt as well as the networking I have achieved. I would recommend the expo to others who want a career in the industry, or are just interested in livestock,” he said.
Harrison has many years ahead of him yet before he has to decide on a particular career path, but his expo experience has already had him focusing on possibilities.
“I really enjoy design and machinery, so I am hoping I can combine these two interests to assist Australian farmers, plus I’m hoping to continue to be involved in the family’s White Suffolk stud,” he said.
“I definitely recommend the expo to others, especially the practical hands-on sessions. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed hanging out with other kids interested in sheep.”
With such a wide range of sheep industry subjects there is something for everyone at the SA Sheep Expo. There is also the opportunity to apply for any of the four scholarships being offered by the expo’s highly valued sponsors.
The theme for this year’s expo is The Year of the Ram and it is on at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds from April 18-20.
If you want to gain valuable experiences like Harrison, Jack and Royce did last year, to find out more, or to register, simply go to the SA Sheep Expo website – sasheepexpo.com.au.
