SA Junior Heifer Expo Builds Skills for Life

The 41st SA Junior Heifer Expo has once again proven why it remains one of the state's premier youth development events, attracting around 190 entrants from across Australia and even one participant from New Zealand.

Event Coordinator Natalie Hann said the 2026 Expo delivered another highly successful year, with a strong education program and the introduction of meat judging for the first time.

"The entrants have been terrific and there has been a really great atmosphere around the grounds," Natalie said.

While the Expo is centred on cattle, Natalie said participants gain far more than livestock knowledge.

"They learn practical skills about preparing and understanding their animals, but they also develop life skills such as resilience, public speaking, teamwork and time management," she said.

The event's success is underpinned by a dedicated volunteer network, including a committee of 15 volunteers and an army of past entrants, family members and supporters who return each year to help run the Expo.

The education program continues to evolve to reflect current industry priorities, with recent topics including farm management, biosecurity, National Vendor Declarations (NVDs) and Property Identification Codes (PICs).

"We want our young people to be across all facets of the livestock industry and understand issues that are relevant to their future careers," Natalie said.

Natalie also acknowledged the critical role of sponsors, including the funds from Livestock SA through the SA Cattle Industry Fund.

"We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors. Without them, events like this simply wouldn't be possible our sponsorships in particular make a significant contribution to ensuring we can keep the event accessible for young people and their families."

With another successful Expo complete, organisers are already looking ahead to next year, motivated by the enthusiasm and appreciation shown by entrants and their families.