This week’s top stories from Young Farming Champions around the country (and overseas!) In the Field Young Farming Champion Ben Egan who farms at Warren in NSW featured in The Land in this great story Drought Makes you think outside the Box from Sam Townsend sharing what the drought has taught him and how his family are adapting in the drying times

The drought has taught Ben Egan to be a problem solver. Picture The Land 

The sixth generation farmer from Kiameron Pastoral Company at Warren said while this drought was one of the toughest they had been through, it had made them think outside the box when it comes to cattle management, including their weaning.

Together with his parents Michael and Sue, and wife Eleanor, the family operates a mixed farming enterprise across 20,000 acres, comprising of cattle, irrigated cotton, and dryland winter crops including wheat, canola and chick peas.

“We’ve looked at issues at hand, there is not enough feed in the paddocks, cows are starting to slip conditions but we have calves on the ground that are still healthy and doing well,” he said Source

In Armatree, NSW, Wool YFC Peta Bradley returned home on the long weekend to help with the family with moving newly weaned lambs. “Whilst they have never seen in grass in their life  the lambs have done really well  on a diet of grain. We are moving them to a failed crop whilst still trail feeding them” and at Picture You in Agriculture HQ putting installing solar panels has proved a very effective rain dance  with some coastal regions of NSW getting up to 200mm  Making the most of rain on farms is complicated depending on your farming system. For most farmers its a morale booster reminding them it does rain and for some little girls in far western NSW who may never have seen its impact it can look like the 9th wonder of the world  Out of the Field  YFC Jo Newton had a busy week at the Royal Melbourne Show stewarding, checking out the activities for AgTech on Show and more. Keep an eye on the Picture You In Agriculture Facebook page this week as Jo recaps her time at Melbourne show! Also at Melbourne Royal was Grains YFC Dee George who was a finalist of the Victorian Rural Ambassadors Award. Dee spent Saturday with 6 other ambassadors visiting the livestock, woodchop and many other pavilions.

“We were fortunate enough to have many in depth tours with the people who run and put together all the amazing pavilions at the show, which a lot of work goes into prior to the show starting.”

On the Sunday all the ambassadors gave their 2 minute speeches. Dee described the entire program as a great experience. We all pass on huge congratulations to the runner up Hayden Williamson, and the winner James Kirkpatrick (who is the brother Young Farming Champion Jessica Kirkpatrick) Fellow Grains YFC Marlee Langfield has had a busy week to say the least. This week she spoke to the Inner Wheel group in Cowra, NSW about the current conditions. You can read  the story here  On Monday was the Morongla Show which Marlee got to guide Steph Cooke MP around (pictured above ). Also this week she brought her first mob of sheep (so she is officially back in the mixed farming game) and submitted an entry form for the Cowra Showgirl Competition. Good luck Marlee we look forward to hearing how it goes.

YFC Steph Fowler was the Madame of Ceremonies for the Cowra Show Spring Cocktail Party 

Rice YFC, Erika Heffer volunteered at the Deni Ute Muster over the long weekend which she described as a fantastic experienced. Erika is back at work this week and is busy preparing to attend the 2018 National Landcare Conference and Awards held on the 10-12^th of October in Brisbane. Enjoy your time Erika and we will eagerly await hearing how it goes in a future muster.   Prime Cuts Marlee Langfield wearing her professional photographer’s hat has taken out the Looking After Your Wellbeing OPEN Section in the Farmer Health in a Changing World – 2018 PHOTO COMPETITION Well done Marlee – you are an all round superstar Cotton Young Farming Champion Anika Molesworth has picked up another accolade for her championing of the low carbon economy and resilient farming systems winning the NSW Office and Environment and Heritage 2018 Young Sustainability Champion Green Globe Award.

‘I am excited to have the voice of young people in agriculture lifted up and recognised through this Award..  There are many young people working tirelessly in agriculture to make it the best it possibly can be. There are so many young champions in the farming sector who are bringing fresh, creative ideas to a truly exciting and forward-thinking industry. These people come with new tech, new skills and new perspectives that are essential for vibrant and resilient farming systems. These people are making a meaningful contribution to food security, the protection of the land and wildlife, are influencing policy and ensuring a bright future, not only for rural Australia, but for all of us.” said Anika following the win

Well done Anika you are a wonderful role model, mentor and voice for young people and women in agriculture. Inside info tells me October promises to big a big month for our Young Farming Champions – Watch this space #YouthinAg #YouthVoice18 #ArchieAction Featured image is Grains YFC Dr Bec Thistlethwaite