Known as the Sheep and Wool Challenge, students are asked to submit ideas via short online videos, winning entries will share in a $10,000 prize pool and entries can be submitted until July 31, 2017.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Bill Byrne said the initiative is offering significant prize money for students who can come up with an innovative solution to an industry issue.
“With Queensland’s sheep and wool industry worth $132 million to the economy, students with an affinity for agriculture and technology are being urged to spend some of 2017 planning ways to shake up the sheep and wool industry,” Mr Byrne said.
“Young people are the future of the industry, and their ideas are what will continue to build sheep and wool enterprises in Queensland,” he said.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Leading Sheep senior extension officer Nicole Sallur said there are sections for secondary school students, where prize money is split between the school and the student, and an Open Category for over 18’s, including those at college and tertiary students. We have also included a people’s choice award with a purse of $500.
Entrants are asked to create a short entertaining video documenting their solution to an industry issue. The issue can be big or small but must be applicable to the whole industry not just a particular breed or region.
It could be an idea to make drenching a whole lot easier or something as simple as a feeder using materials anyone has on their property.
As long as it is rated G, is under 2 minutes, is a positive piece featuring sheep and wool industry relevant content, your video can take any style you like – it could be a music video, a comedy skit, a cartoon, a documentary
As inspiration, Ms Sallur suggested potential entrants go on-line and explore the industry by visiting www.leadingsheep.com.au. Other handy websites are www.daf.qld.gov.au www.wool.com.au and www.agforceqld.org.au.
A full list of competition terms and conditions, and how to lodge your entry, is available on-line HERE .
Leading Sheep is an initiative of Australian Wool Innovation and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, with support from AgForce.
