SHEEP and cattle producers will have a rare opportunity to access key industry decision-makers at a unique event leading up to the annual Delegate Show next month.
And they will also get to meet the district’s own ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’ couple Andrew Guthrie and Jess Nathan at the show’s second annual Monaro Stationhand Challenge.
The celebrated couple will also open the Delegate Show at 2pm on 5 March, but before the show on 4 March, an impressive list of industry leaders from Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and WoolProducers Australia will be available in “An Evening with Ag Leaders’ from 6pm in the Delegate showgrounds bar.
Organiser Robert Ingram said the industry leaders will be available to answer questions and take feedback on industry matters.
“This is a rare opportunity to access our key industry decision makers,” he said.
Attending the informal evening will be MLA director and principal of the Leahcim Poll Merino Stud, Andrew Michael; AWI director and managing director of Carmichael & Co Woolbrokers, Don McDonald; WoolProducers Australia president, Ed Storey; AWI acting chief executive officer, John Roberts; MLA general manager – producer consultation & adoption, Mick Crowley; AWI general manager – woolgrower services, Stephen Feighan, and; Four Seasons national sales manager and former Australian Wool Growers Association director Sam Stephens.
Challenge to feature defending ‘Farmers Wants a Wife’ star Andrew Guthrie
Mr Ingram said the stationhand challenge this year will have prizemoney of $4500. Andrew Guthrie won the inaugural challenge in 2020. COVID prevented the 2021 show and challenge from going ahead.
“The star of Farmer wants a Wife (Mr Guthrie) is the current challenge champion.
“Come and challenge a star,” Mr Ingram said.
The stationhand challenge runs from 8:30am to 1pm, with three sections: Junior Stationhand 16 years and under $5 entry fee; Jackaroo/Jillaroo 17 to 25 years of age $15 entry fee, and; Senior Stationhand/Overseer 26 years and older $15 entry fee.
Mr Ingram urged any stationhands to take the challenge to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
Challenge participants will be tested in commercial sheep classing, ram selection using breeding values, wool classing, weed and grain assessment, cattle judging and bull selection using breeding values, pest and animal management, and legal and work, health and safety.
Follow the Delegate Pastoral & Agricultural Society Inc. on Facebook or @delegateshow. Contact Robert Ingram 0419 870 637 or Tammy Guthrie 0499 442 388 to enter the stationhand challenge or enter on the day at the challenge in the sheep pavilion.
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