Every four years the World Angus Forum is held. Each time it is held at a different location around the world. This year the event which is suspected to attract at least 500 Angus enthusiasts will be held in New Zealand.
Wawota native Erika Easton has been chosen as the captain of one of the Canadian youth teams which will participate in a competition at the Forum. Overall Canada is sending three teams each made up of four members between the ages of 18 and 23.
Easton, 23, is currently living in Regina where she is working for Farm Credit Canada. Always interested in agriculture she grew up on a pure bred Angus farm near Wawota where she became a part of the 4-H beef program and Canadian Junior Angus Association where she was a member from the age of nine to 21.
While a part of the Canadian Junior Angus she became one of the board members serving as president for three years and director for four years.
Having grown up in the agriculture industry she developed a great passion for everything it involves.
In 2009 Easton competed in the 2009 youth competition with the World Angus Forum when it was held in Calgary. New Zealand was announced as the next place of competition and she thought it was a great opportunity, which would allow her to travel New Zealand while taking part in something she loves to do.
"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn't pass it up," Easton explains.
Though she has been through the competition once before this time it will be slightly different.
"It will be different going to a different country. They have their own way of showing cattle. It will be an adjustment, while we bring our own skills over there as well," Easton stated.
As captain she will take on more responsibility for her team including making sure her team is well prepared for the competition.
"It's an honour to be named captain of one of the teams," Easton said.
She will travel with her team to New Zealand the first week of October where the team will spend time on a farm preparing their cattle. From here they will travel to Rotorua where the World Angus Forum is being held.
Easton explained that the youth competition will consist of five categories. These include general knowledge, parading or showmanship, judging, animal preparation, and agri sports.
"We will be tested on the ag industry and questions about Angus including worldwide questions," Easton said about the general knowledge portion of the competition.
They will then show animals to judges. Presentation of the animal will be scrutinized by a number of knowledgeable judges in this category.
The teams will have to partake in a judging competition where they take on the role of judge.
This will then be followed by animal preparation where the team prepares an animal for show in front of a judge including clipping them, brushing them, and ensuring the animal is groomed to perfection.
The final category includes farm related tasks. They will take part in building fences, putting up gates, and a wide variety of chores associated with ranch life.
Easton is extremely excited about the opportunity. She encourages youth to get involved with agriculture and take part in programs such as 4-H or the Canadian Junior Angus Association.
"This is a huge opportunity and it's an honour to be on one of the Canadian teams. It shows agriculture and where agriculture can take you," Easton stated.
