Heavy rain didn't dampen the spirits of 73 beef enthusiasts who attended the 2nd annual Brangus Youth Camp at Biloela earlier this week.

The three-day event was branded a success, attracting almost double the amount of young cattle handlers it had last year.

Participants travelled from across the country, ranging from age five to 21, with some having little showing experience prior to the camp.

Brangus Youth Camp organiser Bonni Geddes, Couti Outi, Stanage, said students rose to the occasion, following a tough year.

"The three-day camp was a great success and when the kids all come away with smiles, it's definitely worth it," Ms Geddes said.

"We received plenty of comments from parents and children that can't wait to come back next year and we've also had a lot of interest from people wanting to be part of it."

More than 80 head of Brangus cattle were supplied for students to handle and parade.

Ms Geddes praised the phenomenal amount of support the youth camp received from presenters and cattle breeders.

"If the students couldn't supply their own cattle, our members and other committee members brought some of their own to be handled," she said.

"We had a very young camp this year and majority of the children were under 12 years of age and it's tricky trying to get the right animals for the kids.

"We're getting a lot of first timers at the camp too so it's very much a grassroots, ground level stuff that we're doing, trying to build their confidence."

The camp also provided a chance for the students to compete in prime and stud cattle sections, parading, judging and a led steer competition.

Piper Christianson was named overall herdsman and Alexandra Olive won the accolade for overall junior parader.

Georgie Spencer won overall prime cattle judge, while Isaac Day won overall stud cattle judge.

The grand champion led steer was Dozer, led by John Lamb.

The three-day event focused on practical, technical and education sessions in areas including parading, animal structure, show box and shed preparation, rope tying tricks, grooming, handling, nutrition, Breedplan and tag management systems.

Entering its second year, the youth camp has received overwhelming support from the Brangus community with many studs volunteering their time to make the event a success.

Dr Stacey Rae, Monto Vet Surgery and Bull Convener for the Australian Cattle Veterinary Society, talked structure and soundness with the students.

Dr Rae also spoke about cattle structure with the older kids and Dougal McDougal spoke to the younger groups.

Educating the students on cattle handling and parading were Jason Jeynes, J&J Fitting, and Julie Sheehan, Kraken Brangus.

Organising committee chairman Brad Hanson, Moura, and Henry Sinnamon, Kulkyne Brangus stud, a younger brangus member, both brought in some of their cattle and showed students the techniques and safety aspects of breaking in and handling green cattle.

Tim Flynn attended the camp and taught students the techniques on moving and working cattle with cattle dogs.

Greg Fawcett, Beef Breeding Services, Rockhampton, shared his wealth of bovine reproductive knowledge, and James Pisatuaro, Veejay Downs Charolais stud, Inga Downs, Dingo, shared his knowledge on grooming, clipping and washing cattle for presentation.

Jeff Franks, Monto, showed students how to tie ropes, prepare beds and cattle for show situations.

Overall Results

• Overall Herdsman sponsored by Bullakeana Brangus: Piper Christianson
• Overall Junior Parader sponsored by Triple B Brangus: Alexandra Olive
• Overall Prime Cattle Judge sponsored by Teys Australia: Georgie Spencer
• Overall Stud Cattle Judge sponsored by Rabobank: Isaac Day
• Grand Champion Led Steer sponsored by Nu Tank - Rockhampton: Dozer led by John Lamb
  
• Encouragement Award: Kai Wilson
• Voewood Up and Coming: Arianna Hanson
• Golden Show Cane: Bryce Foster
• BYC Wheelbarrow: Mac Ahern

Article & Images provided by Queensland Country Life, Amanda Salisbury & Bonni Geddes