Murray Grey future in good hands

In a repeat from 2010 another young South Australian Murray Grey breeder has been named the 2011 Woodbourn Murray Grey Youth Ambassador. In her second year as a participant, Jessie Thomson, Gumeracha, SA has added another feather to her cap by winning the Senior Award.

The 2011 Woodbourn Ambassador Award had fifteen young Murray Grey Youth Enthusiasts from New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia converge on the Wodonga Exhibition Centre during the Murray Grey National Show and Sale on April 5th & 6th. The entrants all eager to compete for priceless opportunities including judging schools, heifer show entries and the chance to win a study tour anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

The Woodbourn Murray Grey Youth Ambassador Award provides a valuable educational opportunity for young beef industry enthusiasts. During the two days the Ambassador entrants were put through their paces with presentations and assignments on the future of the Australian Beef Industry, carcase judging, junior judging, show preparation and safety, junior judging and preparing the official Murray Grey Youth fundraiser heifer which went on to sell for $3,750 at the National Show and Sale.

Following an interview, as well as submission of a resume, an essay on a selected topic and a score for overall participation during the event, Jessie Thomson was named the 2011 Senior Woodbourn Murray Grey Youth Ambassador by a panel of four judges.

Winning the Senior Ambassador Award sees Jessie receive $1,000 towards travel and expenses for a beef study tour to any state outside her home state or to New Zealand, Jessie also was crowned the winner of the Junior Judging section, this sees Jessie become the Associate judge at the 2012 Murray Grey National Show and Sale.

Jessie, also the winner of last years Encouragement Award which allowed her to purchase a heifer and start her own Murray Grey Stud, was a stand out competitor with all the judges commenting on Jessie’s outstanding effort at the event, demonstrating the knowledge and skills the program teaches the young entrants.

Jessie sees the opportunities that arise out of being the Murray Grey Youth Ambassador as valuable learning tools for her to build her own stud, Jiranda Murray Greys into a reputable Murray Grey operation. Jessie also hopes to promote the Murray Grey breed throughout Australia.

The 2011 Junior Woodbourn Murray Grey Youth Junior Ambassador award went to Jess Crick from Koondrook, VIC. Courtesy of the Woodbourn Murray Grey Stud, Farmers Mailbox and Murray Grey Youth, Jess wins a new rolled leather halter and $350 Farmer’s Mailbox vouchers.

The Murray Grey Youth Future Murray Grey Breeder Award awards a young Murray Grey Enthusiast with $1,000 to purchase an animal or genetics from the Murray Grey Breed to help them form the basis of their own stud or build on an already existing stud. Following judging of essays as to why the entrants would like to win the $1,000 and what they would do with it, University of Adelaide’s Brooke Crowell from Kadina in South Australia was the lucky recipient of this award. Brooke would like to use the $1,000 towards the purchase of a Murray Grey female to start up her own stud. Brooke also placed runner-up in the Senior Ambassador Award.

Organisers of this year’s event were happy to see such high quality entrants take part in the Woodbourn Ambassador Awards and are looking forward to building towards another successful event in 2012.

Special thanks must go to the Woodbourn Murray Grey Stud for coming on as the major sponsor in 2011.

Results & Awards:

Woodbourn Senior Ambassadors:
– 1st Prize: Jessie Thomson, SA – $1,000 prize money towards travel and expenses for a beef study tour to any state outside his home state or to New Zealand
– 2nd Prize: Brooke Crowell, SA – $750 MGY Educational Voucher value towards educational expenses such as AI/Preg test courses or college fees, Sponsored by Wodonga Mcdonalds
– 3rd Prize: Kaleb Woolhouse, WA – Entry to the South Australian Junior Heifer Show or the Dubbo National All Breeds Show

Woodbourn Junior Ambassadors:
– 1st Prize; Jessica Crick, VIC – $350 Farmers Mailbox vouchers, rolled leather halter
– 2nd Prize: Keiley Obrien, NSW – $300 Farmers Mailbox vouchers, rolled leather halter
– 3rd Prize: James Burgan, VIC – $50 Farmers Mailbox Vouchers, rolled leather halter

Special Awards:
– Champion Junior Judge: Jessie Thompson, SA
– Champion Carcase Judge: Brooke Crowell, SA
– Encouragement award: Brooke Crowell, SA