The 2023 Holstein Friesian NZ Black & White Youth Auction was a huge success, with $17,650 raised for the New Zealand team heading to the 2023 European Young Breeders School in Belgium.
The popular annual event, hosted live at the Holstein Friesian NZ conference in Nelson on Tuesday, June 27 and on bidr®, saw 26 donated lots go under the hammer of PGG Wrightson auctioneer Jamie Cunninghame.
The Youth Auction usually raises funds to allow Holstein Friesian NZ to provide programmes and opportunities for young breeders to develop their skills and progress in the dairy industry, however, the funds raised in the 2023 auction will go towards supporting the inaugural New Zealand team travelling to compete at the 2023 European Young Breeders School in Belgium.
The school is a great opportunity for young breeders, and the expectation is that they will return to New Zealand and share their learnings and knowledge and participate in HFNZ-run Youth and Young Breeders programmes and competitions.
New Zealand team facilitator Rachel Stewart said attending EYBS – which includes workshops, skills demonstrations, talks and showmanship training – will enable participants to further develop their leadership skills and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.
“This trip will play a pivotal role in developing and broadening the horizons of emerging leaders in New Zealand’s dairy industry,” she said. “This trip will really give participants an international perspective and passion for agriculture in general. It is an incredible opportunity to further their career in the dairy sector.”
Auction organiser Helen Cummings said the auction was an awesome effort from everyone involved, for a great cause.
“This year, with the money raised going to the youth members going to the European Young Breeders School, our up-and-coming youth will benefit from the knowledge shared by team members on their return home,” Helen said.
“A huge thank you to Jodie Lee Templeman for helping organise the event; to PGG Wrightson for providing the bidr® platform so people not attending the conference could participate; to Jamie Cunninghame for the fantastic job of being auctioneer, and to all the sponsors for providing the items. And of course, all the bidders for a fun night.”
Holstein Friesian NZ wishes to thank the sponsors of the 2023 Black & White Youth Auction: ABS, Agrisea, Alltech, Bell-Booth, bidr®, Blundstone NZ Ltd, CRV, DeLaval, FMG, Heiniger NZ, LIC, Open Country Dairy, Nutritech, PGG Wrightson, Samen NZ, Semex NZ Ltd, STgenetics, Stoney Creek, Swazi, Vetpak, World Wide Sires and Zoetis; plus, the Manawatu, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury/Westland, Northland, Southland, Nelson/Marlborough/Golden Bay, Taranaki, Waikato and Otago branches of HFNZ; John and Anne Cockrem, Cummings Family Trust, Wayne and Leeanne Taylor, Pirie Farms Ltd, Cresslands Farms Ltd and Tronnoco Farming Ltd.
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