2022 Livestock Handling Cup Wrap Up

The 5th annual Livestock Handling Cup was held at Sandfire Roadhouse on 15-16 September and is now the biggest event of its kind, with 20 teams from across the Pilbara and Kimberley region participating and almost 120 spectators, sponsors and competitors attending over the two days to share, learn and showcase their skills and knowledge in no-stress stock handling.

This year’s program theme was “Animal Welfare and Biosecurity”. There was an impressive line-up of industry professionals, providing updates on current issues, trends and threats facing the north-Western cattle industry and how we as an industry can stay vigilant and prepared. The working dog presentation from Joni Hall was a highlight for all attendees.

The Livestock Handling Cup brings teams from a broad range of Northern WA Pastoral operations together in a competitive and continuous improvement environment and this event helps builds capacity and skills of WA’s stockmen and women. It is also key to helping young people build a career in agriculture and operate with best practice animal welfare standards

The young stock crew that attend, they are the industry’s eyes and ears on the ground, which has never been more important with the current FMD and LSD biosecurity threats on our doorstep. Additionally, they are the future of Australian agriculture, and they will be responsible for ensuring that our industry continues to operate and evolve with best practice animal welfare as a priority.

This year’s Cup judges included well respected industry leaders, Jak Andrews, Ann Coppin and Joni Hall, with Annabelle Coppin kindly donating her time as this year’s Judges Coordinator.

Teams of three were tasked with moving a small group of cattle through their paces over a designated course within a timeframe, as well as a theoretical component with a multiple choice quiz. The judges were looking for clear use of settling and de-stressing techniques, understanding and reacting to flight zones and a good attitude and care to team, facilities and cattle. It was incredible to watch the teams work and care for their cattle, and each other so well.

 

This year’s top 4 placing teams included;

1st Yarrie Station “Mulla Mulla” –  Rachael Pearce, Jenna Fleck and Lilli Stewart

2nd Roebuck Station – Ben McKenzie, Alex McKenzie, Zinadean Johnson

3rd Sandfire Roadhouse – Ken, Dorothy and Tom

4th Yarrie Station “Tara and the twins” – Tara Shiels, Katie Knarston, Abbey Staines

The Kachana Station judges choices award was presented to Charlie Howarth from Kalyeeda Station.

 

The success of the Livestock Handling Cup wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of our sponsors.

We’d like to thank:

  • Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as our Platinum Sponsor
  • Northern Western Australia and Nothern Territory Innovation Hub as our gold sponsor
  • Red Range Stock Supplements as our Friday night Dinner Sponsor
  • GME
  • Lakeside Minerals Livestock
  • Milne Feeds
  • Great Western Livestock and Land as our Friday Breakfast Sponsor
  • Cattle Australia as our Saturday Breakfast Sponsor

Cowaramup Agencies did an incredible job with permanent cattle yards and upgrades to the yards and facilities. We’d like to thank and acknowledge all the partner agencies who supported the event – Westcoast Northern Livestock, Neil Mansell Transport, Zoetis, Gough Plastics, Southern Wire, Olsson’s, Beachport Liquid Minerals and Allflex.

The logistics, prizes and most importantly, the cattle, wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our in-kind sponsors and supporters

  • Mandora Cattle Company for supplying the cattle and bringing them through the yards all day
  • Mitchell Transport for getting the cattle to Sandfire safely and RTA for bringing the hay and water, which was provided by Water Corporation
  • Kachana Pastoral sponsored the judges’ choices award for the 5th year in a row and Kent Saddlery and YLEN for sponsoring prizes
  • Farmbot donated a water monitoring unit for Auction which sold for $2,000!
  • We would also like to also thank the Shire of Broome, Pilbara Ports Authority, Fortescue Metal Group and Meat and Livestock Australia

A special thank you to Ken and Dorothy from Sandfire Roadhouse for hosting us again and to Liz and Andrew for providing the delicious meals and catering all weekend!

Dates for the 2023 Livestock Handling Cup have been announced as 14 – 15 September 2023 at Sandfire Roadhouse.

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