28 September 2025
A piece of history is up for grabs at Cattle Australia’s Cattle Connect 2025, as riders chase the prize of the first-ever winner of the CA Cup Campdrafting Competition.
The campdraft has been added to the conference program as a celebration of a sport that’s unique to Australia’s cattle industry and to raise money for rural charities.
Due to the huge interest in competing in the inaugural event, the competition format has been expanded from the CA Cup team event, to now include the CA Jackpot title for individual riders, thanks to the support of the Australian Campdraft Association (ACA) and prize sponsor Ceres Tag.
CA Chief Executive, Will Evans, said expressions of interest were now being collected online at www.cattleaustralia.com.au to ensure everyone has the opportunity to nominate in the individual event when registrations open on the ACA portal next month.
“I encourage everyone interested in competing in the individual competition to complete the expression of interest form without delay,” Mr Evans said. “CA will make contact to provide advance notice of when the 24-hour registration window opens with ACA for the individual competition, which has a cash prize pool of $5000 up for grabs.
“The teams event will have a limited field and people wishing to enter a team of three riders should contact either April Dahlberg (businessmanager@cattleaustralia.com.au) or Sara Cue (saracue@cattleaustralia.com.au) at Cattle Australia to confirm their nomination and payment of the $1000 entry fee.
“The team that wins the prestigious CA Cup will have the honour of donating $10,000 to their chosen charity, plus the riders will receive buckles and CA merchandise as prizes to recognise their efforts. In all, the competition will raise more than $13,000 for rural charities.”
In the team section, each team is limited to three riders, with all individual scores added together, with only the top teams progressing to final round.
Entry to the individual section costs $55 per horse to enter (maximum of two horses per rider), with $2500 on offer to the champion rider, plus a buckle and CA merchandise.
All entrants in both the individual and team event must be ACA members.
The campdraft will take place on November 11 at Dalby Showgrounds.
“The great people of the bush, and the relationship they hold with their horses and their cattle, are the lifeblood of our great industry,” Mr Evans said. “Adding the CA Cup to the Cattle Connect program provides a fun and competitive aspect that is in line with our goals of celebrating our industry.”
Cattle Connect was first established by CA in 2024 as a vehicle for fostering the knowledge sharing, collaboration and new connections that will shape the future of the Australian beef sector.
“It’s an event designed to connect the big ideas, new technologies and innovative production practices, with the brilliant people at the heart of our cattle industry,” Mr Evans said.
Conference discussions will focus on the theme of ‘Valuing Beef’s Future’, as part of CA’s review of the cattle transaction levy and its objective that the industry’s research, development, marketing, advocacy and biosecurity programs are adequately resourced for current and future needs. Key-note presenters include Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Anthony Chisholm; Chief Executive Officer Australian Country Choice, Anthony Lee; and General Manager, Sustainability – Planet for the Woolworths Group, Bel Quince; plus, there will be sessions led by our National Beef Leaders Alumni and AgForce Queensland.
ENDS
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Michael Thomson
michael.thomson@bluehillagency.com.au
0408 819 666
Stacey Wordsworth
stacey.wordsworth@bluehillagency.com.au
0438 394 371