Young-guns set to shine after 2025 Santa Gertrudis Youth Camp

The Santa Gertrudis Breeders (Australia) Association recently celebrated another successful edition of their National Youth Camp, an event that has been fostering the next generation of cattle industry leaders for three decades.

Marketing, meat processing, IVF and showing were amongst the topics the next generation of cattlemen and women explored on the first two days of the 2025 Santa Gertrudis Youth Camp.

About 130 children aged seven to 17, alongside a host of presenters and volunteers, gathered at Morgan Park, Warwick, from January 15 to 18 for the annual event.

Participants were divided into groups, each guided by a dedicated group leader who mentored and educated them in a range of cattle-related skills.

These included rope tying, safety around cattle, water and feed management, bedding preparation, and animal care.

Parading demonstrations focused on the use of leads, and participants were also judged on their abilities in both stud and commercial selection.

The event also featured a range of awards for participants, with one of the most coveted being the Champion Herdsperson. This prestigious title comes with the prize of a stud heifer generously donated by a Santa Gertrudis stud.

This year, Ella Phillips, from Taroom, Queensland, claimed the top honour of Champion Herdsperson in her third year at the camp. Demonstrating exceptional skill in stud judging, prime beef judging, and parading, Ms Phillips earned the most points across all categories.

By chance, the heifer prize was donated by her uncle and aunt, Daniel and Kasey Phillips of Murgona Cattle Co, Taroom.

Other notable awards include the 2025 Sir James Walker Memorial Champion Stud Beef Judge title which went to Izzabella Lower, another standout participant who impressed judges with her expertise and dedication.

The event also hosted the annual Santa Gertrudis National Youth Camp Charity Auction, raising an impressive $44,200.

AuctionsPlus' Business Development Manager, Hugh Courts running the charity auction. Pic: MG Rural Media

Highlights of the auction included sought-after Santa Gertrudis genetics in the form of semen straws and embryo packages, along with a collection of vintage King Ranch catalogues.

The funds will support programs aimed at the professional development of young people within the Santa Gertrudis breed in 2025.

AuctionsPlus interfaced the auction, with Business Development Manager, Hugh Courts, attending the event.

“The Santa Youth Camp is a great industry event to support and seeing the Santa Gertrudis breeders there with their families shows the extremely promising future of the breed,” Mr Courts said.

“Year on year, it is something within the industry we love to promote and support.”

Mr Courts also praised the committee for their hard work in ensuring the smooth running of the camp and the seamless integration of the charity auction.

“Fitting in to the Charity Auction on Friday evening is always seamless with Colby Ede and the Nutrien team,” he said.

Youth camps like this play a vital role in the development of future leaders within the Santa Gertrudis breed and the broader cattle industry.

By equipping participants with essential skills and fostering a deep connection to the breed, these events ensure the sustained growth and success of the Santa Gertrudis community for generations to come.