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2025 NH Foods Angus Youth Roundup musters record numbers

Written by Alex McLaughlin | Jan 15, 2025 12:30:44 AM

The 2025 NH Angus Youth Roundup has officially wrapped up, marking the largest turnout in the event’s history, with 225 participants from across Australia. Held in Tamworth, the Roundup provides young people aged eight to 25 with the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, develop their skills, and network with peers.

AuctionsPlus Market Operator and Chair of the Roundup Organising Committee, Bonnie Cox, has been involved with the event since she was eight years old. With a strong family connection to the industry, Ms Cox’s grandparents, Bruce and Cherry Steel of Ben Nevis Angus Stud, organised the first Angus Youth Roundup in 1987, at Glenn Innes, New South Wales.

For Ms Cox, the camaraderie displayed by participants was a highlight of this year’s event. She noted that among the record number of attendees, some had never worked with cattle before, yet by the end of the Roundup, they were purchasing heifers to begin their journey with the Angus breed. Some participants travelled from as far as South Australia and Queensland, with journeys as long as 21 hours.

“We had people who had never been around cattle before attend the event. They saw the Roundup as an opportunity to experience the industry, which is exactly what it’s there for," Ms Cox said.

"They were thrown into the deep end with some of the activities. However, the kids in their age group took them under their wing. By the end of the week, one of the newcomers had purchased two star heifers to start showing themselves."

Ms Cox believes the Angus Youth Roundup is the perfect platform for young people to learn more about the beef industry, develop their skills in cattle handling and judging, and establish valuable industry connections while having fun. 

Over the years, the Roundup has evolved into a highly regarded and well-attended event for young beef enthusiasts eager to expand their knowledge, connect with like-minded individuals, and compete for a wide range of prizes and scholarships.

Some of the 2025 major awards included:

  • Grand Champion Herdsman awarded to Matilda Salter.

  • Champion Meat Judge awarded to Dominique Wyse.

  • Paraders Grand Champion awarded to Angus Johnson.

  • Matthew George Citizenship Award awarded to Erin Chesworth.

  • Grand Champion Junior Judge awarded to Olivia Baker.

  • Merridale Angus Aspiring Breeder Award, awarded to Eden Kaminski.

  • Supreme Exhibit awarded to NAMPARA QUEEN B U56 exhibited by Maddison Hann.

Ms Cox expressed her gratitude for the volunteers from Angus Australia who dedicated their time, resources, and cattle to support the program and its participants.

“The Roundup is open to everyone and we can find animals for people who don’t have one to bring. This year, we had a massive response from volunteers who helped break in animals, and 71 individual cattle were provided for kids who didn’t have one,” she said.

Reflecting on her experience as Chair, Ms Cox appreciated the support of her team, particularly event coordinator Toni Nugent.

“Being Chair of the committee was immensely valuable for my personal growth and development, and it was fantastic to have such a capable team and committee around me. Toni was an amazing help,” she said.

In addition to her role in organising the event, Ms Cox, and her partner Will Mcllwain, contributed three ballot heifers from her stud, Steelborn Pastoral Co for participants who didn’t have an animal to show, another aspect of the forum she found most rewarding.

“Seeing kids come to the Roundup who aren’t from an animal background but want to enter the industry—that’s why we do it,” she said.

This year’s event also featured a charity auction interfaced by AuctionsPlus, which raised almost $16,990 in support of Angus Youth. 

Looking ahead, the Angus Youth Roundup at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth has set the stage for another major event on the Angus Australia calendar. In May 2025, the Zoetis AngusEXPO will take place at AELEC, as part of the larger 2025 Neogen World Angus Forum in Brisbane.