Kiwi takes herd honours | Rural

A New Zealander has won the inaugural World Young Shepherds Challenge held in Oamaru late last week.

Peter Klassen from Lincoln University took home the World Young Shepherds Challenge Trophy and an international professional development scholarship valued at $15,000.

Klassen was one member of the New Zealand team, joining Hamish Best from Massey University.

Runner-up in the event was Phillip Derryman of England with Lachlan Charlton of Australia placed third.

In the teams event England was triumphant, with Alistair Graham combining successfully with countryman Phillip Derryman.

Teams of shepherds aged between 18 and 25 from 12 countries competed in the event at the North Otago Showgrounds and Totara Estate.

Competitors were judged on tasks including sorting sheep, handling and crutching techniques, and shearing.

The winners were announced on Friday night at the conclusion of the Tri-Lamb Conference which was also held in Oamaru.

Chairman of Beef+Lamb New Zealand Mike Petersen, who presented the awards, told The Oamaru Mail feedback from competitors had been very positive.

The competition schedule also included The Big Picture field day held at Lone Star Farms property Caberfeidh in the Hakataramea Valley.

Mr Petersen said more than 400 people heard a variety of speakers including Tom Sturgess, owner of Lone Star Farms, Tim Groser, Minister for Trade and International Climate Change Negotiations and representatives from Australian and New Zealand sheep industries who were part of the Tri-Lamb Group.

The group is an initiative between Australia, the United States and New Zealand, and held a conference in Oamaru late last week.

"The Tri-Lamb Conference was excellent and proves that co-operation between nations can grow the market when demand and volumes were down but prices still delivered value," Mr Petersen said.