LIMOUSIN YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS

2022/23 LYA Ambassador

Written by recipient Zeke Groom

Firstly, I would like to introduce myself and explain how I have made it to this point in the industry. I started in the cattle industry by showing steers as part of my school’s show team as a sport in year 7. This decision then took me on a journey that introduced me to the agriculture industry. It has taken me to qualify and place in the ribbons at Sydney Royal, lead bulls in sales, meet people I have learnt from, lead grand champion animals and place as a grand champion myself. All of this is from a kid who wouldn’t even pat a dog when I was younger After attending the youth show earlier in the year, my love for the industry grew bigger after being chosen for the ambassadorship and the Primrose Limousins SA Junior Heifer Expo scholarships.

So far as the ambassador I have had the opportunity to promote not only myself but the Limousin breed, and youth as well. Over the last few months, I have attended numerous shows including being invited to attend Melbourne Royal. At these events I have had the opportunity to assist the cattle committee with stewarding and it has been a great experience to network with members of the breed. I’d like to pass my thanks on to David Bolton and Jasmine Green for their support.

Over the remaining half of my ambassadorship, I plan on attending Canberra and Sydney Royal and various other small shows and networking with breeders to better deliver my project as per my ambassadorship.

I wish all the breeders a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and please feel free to reach out if you ever feel like having a chat.

2022 Brentvale Limousins Team of Three Steer Award

Written by Chloe Bailey

The LYA were fortunate to have Brentvale Limousins generously donate a steer in support of our team of 3 steer scholarship. Brentvale Aftershock S6 or ‘Footie’, as he was nicknamed after Jason Foote, was awarded to Phoebe Eckermann (Aruma Limousin), Bianca Wood and Tate Purdue (Sapphire Livestock).

The team of three presented Footie at the Melbourne Royal Hoof and Hook competition which saw the steer place first in his export class and selected as part of the Borthwick trophy. Congratulations to the team for presenting the steer at a high level and a massive thank you to Brentvale Limousins for their support of the LYA program.

2021 Primrose Limousin SA Junior Heifer Expo Exchange

Written by Bek Bayly

Bek Bayly and Primrose Limousins offered a youth member the opportunity to attend the 2022 SA Heifer Expo through the Primrose SA Heifer Expo Exchange 2021 Scholarship. Bek, a current youth member and former President of the Youth Committee offered the scholarship because she wanted to encourage other young people to attend the Expo in Adelaide. She has attended the camp for many years, has learnt so much from the experience and appreciated the education sessions with industry leaders.

The scholarship sees the recipient attend the Expo with Bek helping them make the most of the opportunity. Charlotte Dendy, Junee NSW was the successful applicant in 2021 and in July this year she and Bek made the trip to South Australia with two Primrose bred Limousin steers to compete in the Expo.

The week was full of education sessions, Junior Judging, Animal and Paraders competitions, along with a quiz and assignment.

Charlotte had great success throughout the week coming home with 2nd in her Paraders class and 4th overall in the Intermediate age division

Charlotte recognised the Expo as a “cracking experience”, she enjoyed the structure of the event and how the expectations are a lot higher than other youth shows she has competed at. Charlotte’s favourite part of the event were the educational sessions held on the first day by industry professionals. Charlotte looks forward to making the trip back to SA next year for the show and wishes Zeke Groom, the 2022 scholarship recipient all the best and hopes he enjoys the event as much as she did.

2022 Summit Livestock - Most Potential Breeder Award

Written by Chloe Bailey

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from Hayden and Jasmine Green, Summit Livestock, who generously donated a registered 11month-old Limousin heifer as part of the Most Potential Breeder scholarship at the 2022 National Limousin Junior Show

After a high calibre of applicants were interviewed, the successful recipient was SA based LYA member Tate Purdue, Sapphire Livestock. The heifer, Summit Magic S33, is by Summit Custom-Made P11 and out of Summit Magic Q63 The heifer has adapted well to her new environment and forms part of the foundation herd for Sapphire Livestock.

Recently, the heifer has been artificially inseminated and is due to calve next spring

The 2-Year-Old Australian Limousin cow, Progress Queen of Hearts Q8, has just been awarded the prestigious Miss World title in the recent international online competition.

Bred by Peter Kylstra of Progress Limousins, Yanco NSW, this stunning young female competed against 26 representatives from around the globe before taking out the top award.

When asked about the win Peter explained, he was very humbled by the result and will need a few more weeks for the acolaid to sink in. "To me, this is just a dream come true and something you could never predict, after breeding Limousins for 35 years being recognised by your international peers is a huge honour."

Queenie as she is better known at home has had an impeccable show season this past year, after calving down in August at 23 months she went on to be crowned Supreme Beef Female at this year's Canberra Royal and then Supreme Limousin Exhibit at Sydney a few weeks later, she also made the final line up in the famous Urquhart trophy.

"For me, the most rewarding part to this story is this cow is homegrown, her sire, Progress Moose is still our walking herd Sire and her Dam, Progress Queen of Spades is easily one of our best brood cows."

He continued. "Some would even say Queenie was designed to be a great one with parents like that Over the years I have tended to 30 of her ancestors on a daily basis and can remember every one of them. The Exotics, the Queenies, the Siestas and the Mimi’s, they all show up in her pedigree."

Progress Queen of Hearts Q8, is owned by Mr Grame Hopf (one of Australia’s Leading Livestock Judges) from Murwillumbah NSW.

Queenie was purchased by him as a yearling at an online auction during the Covid period, she has never made her way up to the north coast home as of yet. "We might just get a few more shows under her belt before we retire her." Peter highlighted, "With the World Congress next year in Melbourne, it is too tempting not to take her there."

It is looking like most of New Zealand is flush with feed going into early summer after a reasonably kind spring, albeit wet for some. Calving is all wrapped up, artificial insemination completed, and the bulls have been going in over the last few weeks.

It always takes a bit of thought as to which bulls should go with which cows or heifers, keeping them far enough apart and having a backup plan if there is a breakdown. I have found over the years that mating in easier paddocks especially in the first cycling period is effective in preserving bull wellbeing. This is not always easy when often much of your farmland is steeper hill country.

The Otago/Southland hoof and hook competition finally went ahead in September after several delays due to covid and staff shortages. Limousin were represented in all categories and were reserve champion on both hoof and hook in the intermediate category and first placed in the senior section with a 387kg steer with a 141 EMA.

New Zealand’s live export trade will cease to exist next year after the government decided to ban all live exports (sheep and cattle). Seventy yearling limousin heifers will be part of the next consignment to sail to Asia early next year.

The consequences of finishing live exports on the NZ beef industry will be interesting to watch as export numbers have been significant over recent years and these cattle will now come on to our domestic market which may see an oversupply.

Currently New Zealand sheep and beef farms are being converted to conifer plantations at an alarming rate resulting in less grazing land for sheep and cattle, further exacerbating this supply problem.

In April 2023, NZ Limousin will hold their 50year celebration of the breed in this country. We have an exciting weekend planned in Methven, Canterbury (an hour west of Christchurch international airport) between 20 - 23 April.

We have planned a mix of farm visits and activities, visits to local historical sites, some friendly inter-island rivalry, something for the adrenalin junkies, and of course plenty of socialising. I would warmly welcome any Australian breeders or members to join us for what promises to be a great weekend.

For more information and to register your attendance please contact Gary Kennett (garymkennett@gmail.com or tel: +64 29 377 4545)

Merry Christmas

Clark Scott President