A Mauriceville woman has been appointed Future Beef New Zealand's senior beef ambassador, charged with re-igniting young people's interest in the beef industry.
She is Lauren McWilliam, daughter of Carterton farmers Peter and Sue McWilliam and partner of Richard Cameron, with whom she farms in Mauriceville.
Ms McWilliam, 23, wasappointed at the annual Hook and Hoof competition in Feilding on May 11 after a gruelling judging process, following her five-year involvement with the competition, during which she said she relished improving each year and set goals for the next contest.
"The stock handling skills you gain are phenomenal," she said.
To clinch the senior ambassador's role Ms McWilliam was interviewed, had to present an impromptu speech and carry out stock judging.
"Stock judging was the part of the competition that I had struggled with in the past, so I was thrilled I did so well in that component.
"That was definitely my biggest achievement of the competition."
Ms McWilliam said she was awaiting details of exactly what her ambassador's role would involve but was hopeful an overseas trip might be in the offing.
"I have spoken to previous ambassadors and they have said it changed their lives.
"Representing New Zealand at different forums internationally is a huge honour but, more than that, being able to encourage other young people to get involved in the beef industry is really inspiring to me,"she said.
Ms McWilliam and Mr Cameron own a 275ha farm in Mauriceville and are involved in the management of two other properties close by.
