QLD entrant in last week’s SA Junior Heifer Expo Will Doyle, 16, Muniganeen, had a helping hand from his school to attend the event.
Each year Downlands College, Toowoomba, Qld, awards a $1000 bursary to the captain of their cattle show team to attend the expo.
The school’s cattle show team attends a range of events including the Ekka in Brisbane, as well as other shows in Qld and NSW.
“We’ve done about 10 shows this year,” Will said.
While Will’s family only run a few cows at home, he has cattle-breeding ties, with his uncle David Greenup running the Santa Gertrudis stud Rosevale in Qld.
Will also has strong show ties, with his grandfather Angus Lane travelling across Australia as a showring announcer since the 1980s. It was Will’s first time attending the SA Junior Heifer Expo.
“I’ve really enjoyed the event,” he said.
Will, who is in year 11, said his aim was to become a livestock agent.
“I’ve really enjoyed all the junior judging I’ve done, so I think it makes sense to go on and become a cattle buyer,” he said.
Will showed a Shorthorn heifer – Kentash Park Hickory N11 – from Ashley Rowe’s Ardrossan stud, who has been helping Downlands College for years.
“I visited Ardrossan and had the chance to lead the heifer around for a couple of days,” Will said.