Lachlan Forster was one of four applicants vying to be Ayrshire Australia’s delegate and said he was looking forward to seeing if he could pick up any new tricks of the trade that he could use on his family’s farm.
‘‘It will be interesting to look at the cows and see the issues they have there and the different ways they farm,’’ he said.
‘‘It will also be good to look at ways they encourage young people in the industry.’’
Mr Forster said he was looking forward to the trip, run by the Ayrshire Cattle Society of Great Britain and Ireland and aimed at those aged between 18 and 26, considering how difficult the season had been.
‘‘It’s something to look forward to away from this drought and tough time at the moment,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s been tough. We’ve had to cut our numbers back pretty heavily — that’s something I haven’t wanted to do.’’
Mr Forster, 25, said he was unsure how long he would be able to keep his family’s farm operating.
‘‘It’s up in the air at the moment.
‘‘I want to stay here, I love this area but the way it’s going it’s getting too hard.
‘‘If we keep on going like we are (with high input costs and a lack of water), we won’t be here in 12 months’ time.’’
This is not the first time he has travelled overseas. In 2016, he went to New Zealand with the UDV and Gardiner Foundation.
This year’s tour will commence in Northern Ireland on October 11 and travel to Scotland and England, culminating in the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show, which will be held across three days, finishing on October 21.
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