Written by Helen De Costa, 2024 Harris Farm Markets Herefords Australia National Youth Expo, media sponsor.
There were smiles all round for 21-year-old Tabby Cross, Indigo Valley, Vic, over the weekend at the 2024 Harris Farm Markets National Hereford Youth Expo held in Cootamundra July 11 to 14.
Miss Cross was not only named the winner of the Jason Sutherland award, but also the Herefords Australia Travel Scholarship.
Jason Sutherland was a passionate Hereford breeder, who passed away in June 2015.
Many say he was someone that always looked out for others, while being a large supporter of the youth and was highly regarded by all those who knew him.
Miss Cross said it was a privilege to win the award and to be able to be on the committee to work together for the same goal: putting together a great youth program for like-minded members in the industry.
“Jason from all that I’ve heard was an amazing man,” she said.
“He was a true, gentle, loyal, kind-hearted man and it’s great to be recognised for an award like that.”
On the same night the young Victorian youth member was also named the 2024 Herefords Australia Travel Scholarship recipient, receiving $5000 to go towards a trip of their choice to enhance their knowledge within the industry.
Miss Cross attended her first Hereford heifer show in 2018, and hasn’t looked back, attending every expo, while holding a position on the national Hereford youth committee for the past two years.
She plans to use the scholarship to help her travel to the United States next year in October.
“I’m going to travel to various different studs, feedlots, nutrition places and then hopefully tie that in with the World Hereford Conference at the end of October in Kansas City,” she said.
“I’m super excited it’s going to be a great experience to go over there and see what their beef industry has to offer.
As well as what I can learn and bring back to our industry here and particularly the youth.”
Judges Olivia Pearce, Herefords Australia, and Kierin Martin, Forbes said Miss Cross’ application stood out as it was evident she had put a lot of thought and research into the application, with her plans not only to visit the studs and showing aspect of the US, but also the commercial industry.
“Tabby really highlighted she wants to learn more about livestock processing, saleyards and meat works; as well as get a better understanding of how they are addressing issues in the beef industry such as climate change, market volatility and consumer behaviour” Ms Pearce said.
“From our perspective we thought wow, this is a really broad learning experience that she’s wanting to obtain by going over there.
“She’s very passionate about the about the Hereford industry”
Daryl Holder, Goulburn, presenting the 2024 Jason Sutherland award to Tabby Cross.
Olivia Pearce, Herefords Australia, Tabby Cross, 2024 Travel Scholarship recipient and Kierin Martin, Kianma Poll Herefords.
