The final of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s Youth Development Programme (YDP) saw Eoin Cummings of Moncur Angus in Perthshire win the overall senior category and he won a trip to a destination of his choice to study the breed.

The Youth Development Programme is a platform for people aged between 8 and 24 with any level of interest in the beef and cattle industry to participate and compete in activities including stockjudging, ringcraft, dressing and public speaking. The course is facilitated by experienced industry professionals over 13 – 15 workshops throughout the course of the year.

Eoin said: "The YDP has provided me with so many different opportunities over the last 3-4 years, teaching me so much about myself as a person and enabling me to enhance the basic skills I started off with in the process. It’s great to get the chance to attend the workshops, senior conference and final where we can meet so many like-minded people, learn from each other and help develop each other’s skills – this has helped me get to where I am today. I'm absolutely delighted to have won this year’s final! It feels amazing to know that all the hard work in the lead up has paid off and I’m delighted to get the recognition from the judges. Although I have now won the top award within the YDP, I will continue to attend the various events throughout the next year, where I hope to give something back to such a worthy programme that has given me so much.’’

Participants are given the chance to work towards a City and Guilds qualification through Duchy Agricultural College, with a £2,500 prize fund and study trip abroad up for grabs in the final weekend. This year’s programme final included a total of 34 finalists selected from 280 participants, spanning 11 juniors aged 8-13, 14 intermediates aged 14-18 and 9 seniors aged 19-24.

Programme co-ordinator Gayle Bersey said: "Our YDP workshops offer youngsters a chance to learn and progress their current skillset by working with some of the top stockmen and women in the business. Not only is it educational, but the workshops are also good fun, with a chance to mix with like-minded people. You don’t have to be an Aberdeen-Angus breeder, you just have to be ready for the challenge! Whether you’re just interested in preparing cattle better for local shows and markets, or just need a hand getting started – the Aberdeen-Angus Youth Development Programme provides a great platform for youngsters to learn the skills they need, whilst having fun at the same time.’’

Winners from the other sections at this year’s event included Andrew Hamill of Northern Ireland (overall junior winner) and Donald MacLean from Hampshire (overall intermediate winner).

For further information on the Aberdeen-Angus Youth Development Programme and how you can get involved in next year’s programme, get in touch with co-ordinator Gayle Bersey via gaylebersey@outlook.com