Kiwis dominated the World Angus Forum Youth Competition, winning the majority of awards in both the individual and team sections.

The event, which culminated in the grand finale at Netherton Farm, Blackford, last weekend, saw teams of four youngsters aged 18-25 years pit their agri-skills wits against their counterparts from all over the world, and witnessed the Kiwis not only lift the top award for public speaking and ring craft but also the overall team trophy.

The New Zealand Toa quartet, comprising Marie Timberley, Patrick Crawshaw, Emma Pollit and Amy Hoogenboom, also scooped a second prize in the agri sports competition and came third in the carcase grading, butchery and dressing section.

Second prize team was New Zealand Kaha, made up of Mad Tweedie, Nancy Crawshaw, Allen Gregory and Georgie Davies, who also came second in the public speaking, agri-sports and carcase grading/butchery competitions.

In all, some 37 international participants took part in the Forum's Youth Competition, comprising three teams from Canada and two each from New Zealand, Australia and the UK and Ireland, with a token Argentinian joining in!

Equal third went to Australia Red Angus and Canada Believe.

Best individual was Travis Hunter from Canada Believe who gained points in the team building, agri sports, ringcraft and public speaking sections.

Sadly the two UK and Ireland teams comprising the Doddies – Calum Smith, Ayrshire; Ruth Perry, Kent; Gemma Wark, Forfar and Shane Healy, Co Cork and the Hummlies – Andrew Adam, Glamis; John McCulloch, Castle Douglas; Hannah Baldwin, Berkshire and Brandon Brockett, Central London, failed to reach the prize podium.

The event, which took place on the final leg of a highly successful Aberdeen Angus World Forum, attracted in excess of 400 delegates, who were not only treated to a fairwell dinner but also a tour round the Netherton and HW Angus herd which comprises of no fewer than 300 cows.

Delegates were also told how the McLarens are altering their management system to concentrate more on the profitable traits such as fertility, feet, udders and growth, by calving at two years of age and downsizing their cow size to 700-750kg. They are also looking to improve the eating quality of the Aberdeen Angus, by relying more on grass.

"We have been able to lower our 400-day weight by 100kg by reducing the amount of feeding after weaning and our fertility, feet and legs traits have improved. Our cattle still have the growth potential, but because we're not pushing our heifers as much, they are holding to the bull better," concluded William.