Many of the state's autumn and spring country shows have strong beef cattle sections but there is a gap in the calendar over winter.
A new event, Winter Showdown which will be held at the Penola Showgrounds on the June long weekend is aiming to fill the gap and encourage more youth involvement in the beef industry.
It is the brainchild of Warrawindi studs' Mason Galpin and Ben Brooksby who wanted to create an event which could be a practice run for the SA Junior Heifer Expo held at the Adelaide Showgrounds in July.
"It was something that we were going to do anyway among ourselves but then we started talking to some of the other studs they were really keen to join in and it has gone from there," Mr Galpin said.
They are really grateful to the Penola P,A&H Society for supporting their idea and providing them with the venue for Saturday, June 8. Judging will be undercover in the new Spanlift shed.
Since creating a Facebook page a couple of months ago Mr Galpin and Mr Brooksby have been fielding strong interest from across SA and Vic.
"It has been quite mind blowing the number of people that have come forward and have said we want to come over, even from the other side of Melbourne," Mr Brooksby said.
The premium sponsor for Winter Showdown is BioGro who have donated the sawdust but the organisers are still keen to hear from interested sponsors.
Mr Galpin says the event will be capped at 90 animals. Exhibitors have the option to come on the eve of judging to ensure they are ready for a 9am start.
The program will kick off with the interbreed cattle classes include steers, junior bulls and three different age groups of heifers which will be divided into heats based on numbers.
Handlers classes will commence after lunch with juniors (8-11 years), sub intermediate (12-14 years) , intermediate (15-17 years) and seniors (18-25 years).
"We have locked in an interstate judge and we have some pretty cool trophies for the handlers made out of wood from the old pavilion," Mr Brooksby said.
Mr Galpin says they are hoping to make it an annual event and if time permits may add junior judging and even a fitting competition to the 2025 program.
Mia Gartner is one of those counting down the days until the Winter Showdown.
"It gets the cows used to being lead and it is good experience for kids that are new," she said.
"The handlers competition will be great fun and highly competitive."
Entries open on Monday, April 8.
- Details: Follow the Winter Showdown facebook page or contact Mason on 0437 527 606
