The first go around

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

Not only was it quite a few of the participants first time taking part in a Roundup, but it was also the first time for many of the parents who made to trip to attend with their children.

One of those taking part in their first Roundup as a parent was Lachie Wilson of Murdeduke Angus, Winchelsea, Victoria. Lachie has a strong existing background in the Angus breed as a seedstock producer, and currently serves as a bull owner representative on the Angus Australia Angus Sire Benchmarking Program Consultative Committee, a position he has held since 2018. Even with his history with the Angus breed being what it is, Lachie had his first foray into the Angus Youth program as his daughters Heidi and Eliza took part in the NH Foods Australia Angus Youth National Roundup. Coming in a little green to the heifer show lifestyle, Lachie reflected that for his girls the opportunity to come to Roundup allows them to see another side to beef industry that they had not been exposed to yet. “It’s a different side of the industry than what we are used to, but I think it’s great. The girls have met a lot of new and likeminded kids and are settling in well and everyone has been friendly,” said Lachie. “I guess it gives them exposure and hopefully stems their interest in agriculture moving forward and as we all know, we need to nurture young talent for agriculture to grow.” When asked about it from his perspective as a parent of participants, Lachie said that while it was his first Roundup, it was great to get a hands-on experience over the four days. “It’s been good as a parent, because the show side of the industry is foreign to me, so I’ve been a little out of my comfort zone. Everyone has been welcoming and giving me jobs to do and stirring me up a bit, but it’s great.” When asked whether his girls have got the bug, and if we will be seeing the Wilson family on the show circuit for the next 20 years, Lachie said, “We’ll see, time will tell. We’ve got to break the pony bug first, but we see how it stems. I guess the way I viewed it without being fully committed is that we can show them what happens and see if they like it, and if they want to go on with it, they are more than welcome to.”

WATCH

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Kk-rE5wOaUc&list=PLiHsq34vvDWYrtZ38bk_dCsvHiZknv2sT&index=9

Images: Showcase by Branded Ag. Top: Heidi Wilson (purple coat) during the Education sessions, middle: Eliza Wilson in the Paraders Competitions, bottom: Lachie, Eliza and Heidi Wilson