Angus Australia to award five scholarships to Tocal Assessment Course

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing & Communications Officer

An exciting opportunity exists for young members of the beef industry with an interest in cattle assessment and judging, with the Angus Foundation supplying five scholarships for Angus Australia members to attend the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment School.

Taking place on 5-7 December 2022 and organised by Angus NSW, the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course is widely recognised as the most practical and hands on beef cattle selection course of its kind. Applications are now open for Angus Australia members aged 16 to 30 years allowing for the opportunity to attend the course, where they will be educated on all aspects of the beef industry and work to increase their knowledge and skills in judging and selecting beef cattle. The course will cover a wide range of topics ranging from using EBV’s, structural conformation and selection of market utilising Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus breeds and their crosses and will help participants through developing practical skills and information, presenting networking opportunities. “The scholarships allow for young people with an interest in cattle evaluation to expand their knowledge in assessing and judging beef cattle,” said Jake Phillips, Angus Australia Extension Manager. “Through these scholarships we hope to increase the recipient’s knowledge of the beef industry, their knowledge and skills in judging and selecting beef cattle and expose them to industry leaders,” said Mr Phillips. 2019 scholarship recipient Skye Baxter enjoyed her experience at the course. “Over the three days I learnt so much more than what I thought I would covering a wide range of topics including production for the different markets, using performance figures, identifying fat and muscle in cattle, female selection and bull selection, culling cattle etc both in the classroom out in the paddocks. “Overall, it was an amazing learning experience for me. Not only did the lecturers do an amazing job at teaching us, but so did the owner of the cattle that were brought to do demonstrations with. I would recommend this to anyone in the beef cattle industry as it is a worthwhile three days where you learn so much and enjoy the company of everyone else as well.” Applications for the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course Scholarships close Monday 12th October. “We encourage Angus Australia members aged between 16 and 30 with a strong desire to develop their beef cattle judging skills to apply for this excellent opportunity to attend the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course,” said Mr Phillips. The scholarship is conditional that upon returning from the Beef Cattle Assessment School the recipients must submit a report detailing their experience. For further information contact please contact Jake Phillips, Extension Manger at youth@angusaustralia.com.au.