The roundup is the premier event for young Angus cattle enthusiasts within Australia. 

The event at the Wodonga Showgrounds from January 11-14 has participants from as far as Western Australia and Tasmania registered.

It is open to experienced and novice competitors alike, aged between 8 and 25.

“It caters basically for everyone,” co-ordinator Murk Schoen said this week.

“From those who haven’t got a clue about the beef industry, or more importantly the agriculture industry, right the way through to experienced people that have been involved in the industry for quite some time or have grown up on a farm.”

After participants register on the opening afternoon those who did not bring their own stock will be allocated an animal to care for over the duration of the roundup.

The roundup includes a series of education sessions presented by industry experts covering a range of topics, such as halter making, livestock nutrition, animal selection as well as creating a business.

Parading classes, Junior Judging and Herdsperson competitions in a range of divisions will also be held throughout the week.

“It’s about finding the opportunities to share knowledge about the industry and for people to get access to industry leaders and mentors and make friends for life,” said Mr Schoen, who this year is co-ordinating the event with is wife Kate.

“We’ll have group sessions on the Thursday but it’s really more about networking and interaction with other people who are interested in the cattle.” Kate and Murk Schoen, commercial cattle producers from Corowa, have had a long association with the event as competitors and on the committee. 

Both have taken out major awards at previous roundups, while last year Kate received the Trans-Tasman Award, which involved funding to visit Angus operations across New Zealand.