LEARNING on the family farm has placed third year Murdoch University animal science student Kristy Walters, 20, on top.
Kristy last month won the tertiary section of the National Merino Challenge, run by the Australian Wool Innovation, as the champion over all sections out of almost 100 tertiary student entrants.
During the two-day event attendees participated in seven mini-challenges which tested their knowledge of Merino fleece, production, breeding and selection.
The challenge had sections for late secondary and tertiary students and was open to years 11 and 12 and tertiary students, Australia-wide.
The activities were divided into three sections - Merino wool, breeding and production.
Kristy was the top performer in the production section.
"We were assessed on all those sections, and at the end they collated all the results and it was a huge surprise when my name got called out," Kristy said.
More than 140 students from across Australia, including 19 from WA, competed in the Sydney event.
Murdoch University students competed for the first time, and students from the WA Colleges of Agriculture at Cunderdin, Narrogin and Harvey returned this year.
They competed against students from eight other secondary schools and nine other tertiary institutions.
After weeks of preparation, Kristy said she had to trust her instincts and relate her answers back to what her dad had taught her on the family farm in Brookton.
"I go home in my study breaks, so I can help Dad out, so he can focus on cropping and I get to help look after the sheep," she said.
"It is a win-win for me, as I get more experience."
Kristy said it was tough competition, and her biggest challenge was in classing, as WA is different to the east coast.
"There was an element of the unknown," she said.
"They have different styles and what they look for structurally is a bit different.
"Because I have done some sheep classing here before and helped Dad, I had a bit of experience with that - I went with my gut instinct in the end.
"I would judge it by 'would I buy it or not?' I tried to keep it practical."
Kristy said while her parents run a mixed enterprise, her heart lies with livestock.
"We have a mix of cropping and we also have 4500 Merinos," she said.
"I am not very interested in the cropping side of things, but I love sheep and I have also developed a love of cattle."
After finishing Year 12, Kristy decided to take a gap year and travelled north to work on a pastoral station.
"I worked at Yarrie station, in Marble Bar, and I absolutely loved it," she said.
"I had no idea at the time, and had never worked with cattle, but I came home knowing that cattle and sheep were something I wanted to focus on at university."
During her studies, Kristy has been involved with youth groups and assistant judging events.
"This degree has opened so many doors for me, the extra curricular is the best part," she said.
"I have been to the WA Youth Handlers Cattle Camp and there I met so many new people.
"I did sheep camp through AgVivo events, completed an AI course, was the associate judge for the 2015 IGA Perth Royal Show Merino section and competed for Murdoch in the 2015 Royal Show steers competition.
"We do eight weeks of prac, so I have worked at feedlots, some sheep studs and gone back up north to work on a station again."
Kristy said young people had lots of opportunities to get involved in agricultural events.
"I found out about events through facebook, and once I went I met so many new people," she said.
"That is the best part of ag, everyone is happy to help you.
"Once you get out there and say you want to get involved, people will be snatching you up."
Kristy encouraged young people to network.
"You can't just sit behind a book, because at the end of your degree all you will come out with is a piece of paper, and that's it - you need to get out there," she said.
"It is more about the experience."
Kristy hoped State education departments would organise agricultural camps or tours to expose young people in schools to the industry and the different job opportunities.
"I didn't know there was that many options before, even growing up in the country," she said.
"I think if they did a camp for high school students, more young people might get excited about the opportunities.
"I knew there were options, but I didn't know there were that many opportunities."
Kristy said she had noticed the passion for agriculture was evolving - even at a university level.
"It's the passion that compels you in," she said.
"As the years go on, especially at university, you notice people getting more involved and people find where they want to go - the real passion for the industry has grown."
Kristy would like to keep her options open after university, but knows the country and the agricultural industry is calling her.
"I am interested in breeding," she said.
"We did an artificial insemination course and I found it incredibly interesting.
"I would love to go into that field, I am trying to keep an open mind but after winning those awards everything is pointing towards production."
Being back at the family farm is a different experience.
"Sitting around the kitchen table, even with my sisters is so different," she said.
"We were never really interested about the farm as kids, but now that's a large part of what we talk about around the dinner table - we are all really passionate about it.
"We are all getting involved in the farm and Dad is really interested in what we have learnt and what we could possibly implement at home.
"We are really lucky our Dad is so willing to adopt changes - it is exciting because of the potential."
