JOSH Fogarty was over the moon when he took out this year’s Rabobank Encouragement Award at last week’s Alice Springs Show.
The 16 year old from Lucy Creek Station, 430 kilometres north east of the township was a first time entrant in annual Junior Handler Competition, but Josh is no stranger to leading cattle.
“It was the first time I have entered, but I learnt the skills when I was at school at Westminster in Adelaide,” Josh said.
“”I had a lot of friends with cattle at school so I was happy to help on the weekends.”
A natural cattle handler Josh had never worked with the bull and heifer he led at the show this year.
Proud mum Jo was on hand to cheer Josh on. Mrs Fogarty said although they had about 8500 head back at Lucy Creek Station it was a long way to cart them for this competition.
“The cattle actually belong to an old school teacher of Josh’s and he was helping them during the weekend at the show,” Mrs Fogarty said.
“He had never worked with either of the animals one Simmental bull and Simbray heifer, but he has always shown a natural ability to animal handling.”
Josh, who has just completed his Certificate 2 in Beef Production at Emerald Agriculture College in Queensland, said it is all about patience and persistence.
“The key is making sure they stand up straight, but it helps to understand the animals, they are all different with different characteristics,” he said.
“I am always pretty relaxed which I think helps the cattle as well”.
Barry Gerschwitz, Rabobank, Darwin said the bank had been sponsoring this event for about 13 years.
Mr Gerschwitz said it was important the winner showed strong characteristics in consistency, knowledge of the beast they were leading and displayed honesty and good sportsmanship.
“The judges are looking for conduct, that while in a competitive environment, always reflects the highest standard to promote the advancement of agricultural events,” Mr Gerschwitz said
Josh will head back to Emerald later this month to complete his Certificate 3 in agriculture.
He is passionate about coming back to the station well placed to take over the family cattle enterprise.
But at 16 he says he has some education to do in the industry and he is planning to do some travel as well.
Josh will now compete at the Heifer Show in Adelaide next year.
