MALLEE Martin was blunt when describing the stress of being a cattle judge at the tender age of seven.
"It's more than frustrating," he explained.
"I don't know if I have it right.
"You just have to keep looking at the cattle and you are meant to work it out."
We are always very grateful to the young people who turn up every year to be group leaders and help nurture and develop the skills of the next generation.
The pint-sized cattleman from Delungra in New South Wales was one of more than 90 youngsters, who turned up in Warwick for the 2014 National Santa Gertrudis Junior Cattle Camp recently.
Bill Dunlop from Santa Gertrudis Australia said the annual camp had been well supported by both youngsters and the broader cattle industry.
"This year we had youngsters from all the states, with the exception of South Australia," he said. "Numbers were on a par with previous years, which is really encouraging considering so much of Queensland and New South Wales is experiencing dry or drought conditions.
"What we did notice were our parent numbers were down this time and I think it was a case of many having to stay home.
"That is because they are either carting water or feeding stock."
But Mr Dunlop said there was no shortage of adults to help oversee the groups, thanks to some committed volunteers.
"We are always very grateful to the young people who turn up every year to be group leaders and help nurture and develop the skills of the next generation," he said.
"The studs that lend us their cattle and the industry experts who donate their time really make this camp."
