THE Manning Dairy Youth organisation is gearing up for its All Breed Calf Show this Saturday.
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To be held at Gloucester Showground, the event will see young people take part in various activities including a clipping competition, a parade where the youngsters can show off their heifers and a best-dressed heifer competition.
Manning Dairy Youth was established in the Manning Valley about four years ago as a sub-committee of the Manning Holstein Association.
It consists of young people from Wauchope to Gloucester who have a passion for the dairy industry and the showing of dairy cattle.
Emma Polson, 25, from Oxley Island, is secretary of Manning Dairy Youth and encourages people to come along and enjoy the calf day and see what it is all about.
Manning Dairy Youth involves about 30 young people, the majority aged between five and 25.
Lots of activities take place through the year including clipping development days, social days, clipping competitions, junior judging and fun activities to get children involved.
Emma said the clipping day is about teaching the children how to prepare their heifers for show, which includes clipping the heifer's body and giving them a top line.
A lot of prep is done on the farm before the cattle get to the show.
Two teams competed at the Royal Easter Show last year and they also took part in a youth challenge.
In addition the organisation sponsored two young people to attend an All Breeds Youth Camp in Melbourne.
"We think we will do that every second year," said Emma.
She said the activities are a great way for young people to get off the farm.
"It's all about breeding and breeding the best progeny for an industry where you seek to buy.
"They work towards the shows all year. It is hard work."
Manning Dairy Youth is a non-profit organisation.
Fundraisers include raffling a heifer at the calf day, which is designed with the idea that one of the kids will win a heifer and become keen on showing cattle.
They also created a 2014 calendar featuring photos of the group's activities last year.
The Manning Dairy Youth committee members are president Tim Wilson, vice-president Adam Forbes, secretary Emma Polson and treasurer Kate Forbes.