At just 20 years of age, Grace Collins has already stamped herself as a cattle industry role model and will be winging her way to New Zealand within weeks to further her knowledge of Hereford genetics.
Grace, of Armidale, was the recipient of the Herefords Australia Youth travel scholarship, presented by judges Keirin Martin and Katelin Davies at the Herefords Australia Youth Expo dinner at Parkes in July 2023.
The judges chose a person who would use the scholarship to learn and further their knowledge of the industry, not just in Australia but further abroad and apply those learnings to Hereford Youth.
Grace has no family background in agriculture, but it has not stopped her from pursuing her passion for the beef industry, combining her studies with preparing and showing large teams of cattle, mentoring youth and being a role model for young rural women.
She grew up in the suburbs of Sydney and is in her fourth year studying a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of New England, Armidale, NSW. She aims to complete a Master of Teaching to become an agriculture teacher.
“I love being involved in the school’s cattle team and agricultural programs – I want to immerse myself in it full time, coordinating all kinds of youth events,” Grace said.
Grace is an integral part of the Te-Angie Poll Herefords team at Wongwibinda, NSW, doing the halter breaking, clipping, washing and show preparation of the cattle.
She oversaw a team of 24 head and handlers at the 2023 Herefords Australia National Youth Expo at Parkes and had just returned from taking 25 head to the Queensland youth camp at Dalby.
Grace then went on to the Ekka with Te-Angie team of 22 head and six handlers.
In October, she was appointed as the farm assistant at Guyra Central School for three days a week and works in learning support at Armidale Secondary College for the other two days.
If that isn’t enough, Grace was part of the Rural Women’s Network #BeRural campaign, showcasing the success of rural women and to inspire youth to set goals.
“I would like to think I have contributed to not only the industry in general but particularly youth and being a woman in ag,” she said.
Last November, she was a co-organiser of the Northern Schools Prime Steer Competition at Armidale, drawing more than 300 students from 30 schools across two days of judging, parading, public speaking and led steer classes. The carcase competition attracted 100 steer entries.
“That really confirmed to me this is what I want to be doing,” Grace said.
That was followed with Grace being named as a finalist in the 2024 RAS Rural Achievers Award, which allows future agricultural leaders to further develop their skills and grow their personal and professional network.
She will fly out of Australia for Queenstown, New Zealand on March 4 for a tour of the Robertson family’s Duncraigen Hereford stud, lead cattle at the two-day Wanaka Show, and visit Lime Hills and Kairuru Hereford studs.
“We then head across the South Island to Christchurch visiting other studs before flying home on March 16 in time for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.”
Grace is a member of the Herefords Australia National Youth committee and vice president of the Herefords Queensland Youth Affiliation committee.
“It’s exciting to be in Australian agriculture now as the opportunities are endless – the industry is dynamic and there are positive role models. I see that a lot in schools with kids struggling in the mainstream subjects but as soon as they come down to ag, they flourish and thrive under positive role models. I hope I can contribute to being that for them.
“Hopefully in 10 years’ time I will be teaching ag in a rural school, opening doors for kids that would otherwise be closed, running events, providing opportunities, teaching ag in the most modern ways, and providing practical experience for kids.”