A two-day workshop for up and coming beef farmers has left older hands in the industry feeling “really heartened”.
The Beefing It Up youth workshop hosted by Angus Australia and Generation Angus NZ immersed 17 prospective farmers in commercial breeding and trading angus production systems at Ongaha Station in Kahutara.
Nancy Crawshaw from Angus Australia said the event was a resounding success, with the “passion and enthusiasm” of the group making her eager to ensure more young people participate in the future.
“This workshop was about giving young people the confidence, tools and connections to lead in agriculture,” Crawshaw said. “It’s just the beginning.”
The workshop began by introducing participants to estimated breeding values (EBVs), accuracy measures, and percentile bands, setting the tone for two days of intensive and practical learning.
Attendees examined how genetics and environment interact to shape the animals seen on sale day and in the trade market.
It was followed by a visit to Matariki Station, hosted by George and Sarah Tatham, to observe breeding decisions in a commercial hill country herd.
Day two at Shane and Lynnette McManaway’s Ongaha Station shifted the focus to systems thinking to learn how irrigation, pasture management and stock decisions are interconnected.
Participants explored how “knowing their numbers” – whether tracking pasture growth or analysing weight gains – could significantly improve decision-making and profitability.
Crawshaw said the two-day intensive workshop was not only a chance to “upskill young people on the beef industry and agriculture but to also make them aware of the career opportunities that are available”.
Technology, including the increasing use of AI across the primary sector, made it “a really exciting time to be in agriculture”, Crawshaw said.
“There is so much technology coming so farmers can make more informed decisions”
While the increased use of technology was attracting young people into the primary sector, Crawshaw believed “back to basics” messaging might play an even greater role.
“It’s actually about teaching people where their food comes from, teaching them about how food gets onto our plates,” she said. “Ideally we need to be getting education around agriculture back in schools.”
Ensuring young people had the social skills to build effective relationships was also critical, Crawshaw said.
“One of the most important things you have in business is relationships,” she said. “And I think it’s knowing how to build those relationships. Regardless of what industry you’re in, that’s so important.”
For McManaway the two days was a positive and affirming experience.
“To have such magnificent people on the farm asking really in-depth questions about some of the more intricate parts of farming was really heartening,” he said.
“We get a lot of enjoyment out of helping young people looking for a bit of leadership and a little bit of direction, so any time that happens I’m always pretty pleased.”
SOURCE: Wairarapa Times Age