The Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's Association (KPCA) Livestock Handling Cup is a community and industry based event that continues to flourish in the northwest of the state. Milne sales manager, Jonathan Langan, headed up north recently to attend and support the 2023 Cup. The event, which is now the biggest of its kind, was held at Sandfire on 14th and 15th September and attracted pastoral stations from all around the region. The focus of the event is to practise skills and learn more about low-stress livestock handling. It also brings together abroad range of northern WA pastoralists and provides an opportunity for discussion and collaboration to further enhance and develop low-stress livestock management practices. Aside from the competition, it is a great way for young people in the agriculture and livestock industries to learn from their peers, fine-tune their animal husbandry skills, and enhance their careers.
Milnes Feeds has been a long-time supporter of the KPCA Handlers Cup, which has now been held 6 times and, since its inception, has never missed a year.
To run the competition, attendees are split into teams. Each team of 3 people is tasked with moving a small group of weaners around a large pen through various obstacles and, finally, leading them into a circle at the centre. Skills that the judges look for are de-stressing techniques, the ability to ‘read’ animal behaviours and flight zones, as well as care for team mates and the cattle.
A total of eighteen teams competed, with the following results:
1st: Kalyeeda Station’s team 1
2nd Yarrie Station Outback Beef
3rd: Kalyeeda Station’s team 3
Encouragement Award: Myroodah Station
The event also includes information sessions, with talks from various industry experts, covering a wide range of topics relevant to the industry. One such talk, given by John Wheelock of the KPCA, was regarding biosecurity. The main message from this presentation was the importance for everyone in the industry to take proper responsibility and precautions, as well as remaining ever vigilant to protect Australia’s thriving cattle industry. With the recent FMD and LSD threats currently facing the industry, and right at our doorstep, this has never been more important.
The Livestock Handling Cup was first held at Yarrie Station in 2016. Hosted by Annabelle Coppin and crew, the concept of the Cup came about after the Live Export suspension, with Annabelle and Boyd Holden, of Livestock Behaviour Systems, wanting to showcase the unique livestock handling skills involved in managing pastoral cattle. The aim of the Cup is to demonstrate livestock handling activities that are typical of pastoral work, such as mustering, yarding and loading of cattle. Safety of pastoral workers and animal welfare are key components of the Cup.
The Handling Cup is just one event held by the KPCA. Among many other events, such as workshops and industry tours, is the highly anticipated KPCA Annual Conference. The 2023 conference, to be held on 12th and 13th October, is themed ‘Navigating New Frontiers’ and will explore the changing landscape of northern Australia’s cattle industry. This year the conference will be preceded by a two day capacity building workshop, on 10th and 11th October. Partnering with The Livestock Collective to deliver the workshop, the KPCA hopes the workshop, “Building Leaders & Communicators for New Frontiers”, will help develop the capacity of key personnel involved in livestock production in the northwest.
Milne Feeds is proud to be a supporter of the KPCA and look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming conference.
