Page 8 - Hooked on Herefords Oct 2022

Rebecca Paterson | NZ Youth

NZ Hereford Youth Mentor Program

The mentor program has been developed as a way for We are looking for mentors in all areas of NZ, from all
established Hereford breeders to pass on their knowledge different farming operations and breeding programs. If this
to new members. The concept is simple a Hereford Youth sounds like something you would like to be involved in
member will visit an established Hereford stud to learn or you would like more information, please contact Becs,
from them about breeding stud cattle and their farm youth@herefords.co.nz or 027 227 8056.
business.
In March at the new Young Guns Conference there
will be an open discussion where individuals will share
their learnings to the group and continue the chain of Up coming dates for Youth:
knowledge transfer.
The aim of this program is knowledge transfer. At the Mentor Program - Summer 22/23, this will flexible to
recent NZ Hereford Youth Leadership Forum; feedback from suit mentor / mentee teams
participants is they feel there are limited ways to learn and
develop knowledge as a younger or new Hereford Breeder. Young Guns Conference - before the Allflex Coast to
Coast Herd Tour either on Saturday 4th or Sunday
We need Mentors 5th March 2023
As a mentor you would host an individual for a set
amount of time, possibly one to two days. During this time Youth Auction 2023 - at herd tour on Sunday 5th
the mentee would learn from you about breeding stud March 2023
Herefords and your farming operation.
Becs at NZ Hereford Youth will liaise between Mentors Development Forum - 13 - 16 April 2023
and Mentees to setup introductions and help facilitate
timings for visits over the summer of 2022/23.

Youth Report

In July I attended the Herefords Australia National
Youth Show which some of you may of seen me document
through the NZ Hereford Youth page. It was great to see
Ella, and we both had incredible heifers from Kianma
Polled Herefords. It was a jam-packed couple of days
with interesting modules and a fascinating farm tour of a
commercial baldy herd. Kianma had 8 head at the youth
show and my favorite part of the show was looking after
them and helping their handlers especially the younger
competitors.
I was stoked to win Reserve Champion Herdsperson
which is an all-rounder/behind the scenes type of award. Lisa at the Herefords Australia Youth Heifer Show, leading
In September I attended the National All Breeds Junior a Kianma heifer, owned by Kierin and Nikki Martin.
Heifer show with a Hereford heifer once again borrowed
from Kierin and Nikki Martin at Kianma Polled Herefords. of the Bundaberg Rum distillery, snorkeling with turtles
I will be forever grateful for the help, mentoring and and fish at the Great Barrier Reef, seeing whales in the
support they have given me while I have been over here, Whitsundays and going to Australia Zoo.
the contribution they have to youth is nothing short of As for what’s next, I’m heading down to Melbourne
amazing. It was probably my most successful show in Royal to show cattle with Kianma and have entered the
Australia with a highly commended in stock judging, a third Simmental Feature Youth Paraders competition. After that
in my handlers class and third for Senior Herdsperson. who knows! Until next time team.
Other highlights so far include Harden show with the Written by Lisa Bonenkamp about her first 6 months of
Bush’s at Kirraweena-Glenholme Herefords, seeing my first her work adventures in Australia.
feedlot with Hannah Gibb and I have actually managed to
get off the farm to do some touristy things! My favourites Lisa is a very active NZ Hereford youth member and was
have been going on a train for the first time, doing a tour part of NZ Hereford WHC Young Breeder team in 2020.

8 | NZ Herefords Newsletter. October, 2022 Hooked on Herefords