“Surprise” win for top all-rounder at Youth Camp

Manawatu teenager Holly Powell has taken out the top award at the 2023 World Wide Sires National All Dairy Breeds Youth Camp.

Holly, 19, was presented with the Paramount Cup – awarded to the top all-rounder – at the conclusion of the Youth Camp, held in Canterbury from January 6-9. Holly also won the title of Top Senior Handler.

She says winning the Paramount Cup was “kind of a surprise”.

“I ended up with a good calf and we clicked straight away,” she says. “I never thought I would have such a cool calf to work with.”

Each year, Holstein Friesian NZ hosts the Youth Camp, designed to upskill young people aged 10-21 interested in showing and handling any breed of dairy cattle.

Held over four days, the camp allows young people to learn about animal behaviour and care, take part in a mini show and team building activities, and have fun and make new friends. Educational modules at the 2023 youth camp included genomics, clipping, animal health and photography, and an on-farm visit.

Each year five awards are presented at the conclusion of the youth camp: Top Junior Handler, Top Senior Handler, Best Presented Heifer, the Dennis Terry Memorial Trophy for most improved clipper, and the Paramount Cup.

This year, Best Presented Heifer went to Chloe Thomson of Southland (18); the Dennis Terry Memorial Trophy to Caitlyn Stewart of Canterbury (17), and Top Junior Handler to Israel Hansen of Canterbury (13).

Holly has been showing cattle since she was young, starting with calf days when she was five years old. When she turned 8, she began showing a couple of successful pet-day calves at shows such as the Stratford A&P Show, the Levin A&P Show and the Manawatu A&P Show.

She has been showing regularly ever since, attending the NZ Dairy Event and the Waikato Show for the last couple of seasons; this month she is taking a team of nine to the 2023 NZDE.

And after two seasons working for Craig and Chantelle Rowe on their 700-cow Holstein Friesian stud Maire, Holly is returning home to work as herd manager on her family farm, a role she has had in her sights for some time.

Holly’s parents, Brad and Kelly Powell, milk 400 pedigree Holstein Friesians on 140ha near Tangimoana under the name Radly Holsteins.

The 2023 Youth Camp was the fourth camp Holly has attended.

“You meet all sorts of kids that come from different backgrounds,” Holly says. “It’s awesome to talk about the differences and similarities between each farm and catching up with friends you’ve made in previous years.

“This year I loved seeing the younger kids’ enthusiasm for the Holstein Friesian breed, and for showing. They all came wanting to learn and absorb everything.

“This Youth Camp will probably be my last and winning the Paramount Cup will see me finish on a high. However, I would love to come back to help next year, to give back to an event that has given me so much.”

Holly thanked HFNZ Field Officer and Youth Camp organiser Amelia Griffin, who she said worked tirelessly to ensure the camp ran smoothly.

“Amelia does such an amazing job, putting up with all of us,” Holly laughs. “She is already starting to organise next year’s event and seek sponsorship.”

Amelia says the 2023 camp was a great success.

“The big challenge was that of the 21 kids, 16 were new to the camp, but the older kids and our helpers were incredible at making them feel welcome,” she says.

Of Holly, Amelia says she was her “lifesaver” during the camp.

“From the moment she arrived, she did everything we asked and was such an incredible helper to all the participants,” she says. “She took on that leadership role, but without taking away from the effort she put into her own animal. Her winning the Paramount Cup and Top Senior Handler is a credit to her; she’s become such a cool young woman.”

A full list of sponsors for the 2023 WWS National All Dairy Breeds Youth Camp are as follows:

• World Wide Sires- Naming Rights
• Cross Country Rentals – Van sponsorship
• Cresslands Farm Ltd – Team Sponsor and animals
• Sherraine Holsteins – Team Sponsor and animals
• Snowfed Farm Ltd – Team Sponsor and animals
• Holstein International
• Bell-Booth Ltd
• Belbrook Farming Ltd
• Semex NZ
• Cummings Family
• Farm Source Rangiora
• Heiniger NZ
• Fibre Fresh
• STgenetics
• Aorangi Holstein Friesian Club
• Rangiora Vets
• Xcell Breeding Services
• Allflex

Please contact Holstein Friesian NZ field officer Amelia Griffin on 021 411 341 for more information.