Top Paddock WINTER 2018 | Page 16

Future Beef NZ Allflex Beef Ambassadors 2018 success can in part be attributed to being open to giving new things a go “I have learnt so much from this competition, there is so much knowledge to soak up, I have met many awesome people. The opportunities that come from the event are endless”. INTERMEDIATE AMBASSADOR JESSICA GUY Beef cattle farming is nothing new to 2018 Intermediate Ambassador, Jessica Guy, growing up with her family sheep and beef farming in the Taihape and Tolaga Bay area’s Jess has always worked with cattle. However, it wasn’t until she entered the Future Beef NZ Hoof & Hook competition last year that she began to learn about stud cattle and preparing cattle for showing. Jess admits she had no idea what to expect when she first entered but was excited to try something new “ I was handling a steer I had never met before and zero experience leading cattle, but you’ve got to start somewhere, so I jumped in and gave it my best shot.” In her final year of schooling at Woodford House, in Hawke’s Bay, Jess is a prefect and heavily involved with the school’s TeenAg club and is focused on encouraging younger students to be involved to ensure the club remains strong into the future. Next year, she is looking to study Agri Commerce at Lincoln University. Jess is excited for what the future holds “I am definitely going to continue my involvement with Future Beef and am looking to what other opportunities I can take on within the Agricultural industry”. This year Jess decided to push outside her comfort “you’ve got to start somewhere, so I jumped in and gave it my best shot.” zone and applied for the ambassador award. She feels honoured to have won the Intermediate Ambassador and is extremely excited to be part of an event that is significant to so many people. Jess also believes her 16 FUTURE BEEF NEW ZEALAND