2025 Kimberley-Pilbara Livestock Handling Cup: A Showcase of Skill and Teamwork

The 8th annual Livestock Handling Cup took place at Sandfire Roadhouse on 11–12 September 2025, drawing 18 teams from the Pilbara and Kimberley regions. This year’s event saw over 100 competitors, sponsors, and supporters participate in a dynamic showcase emphasizing skill, knowledge, and teamwork in low-stress cattle handling. It remains the largest event of its kind in northern Australia.

Hosted by the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA), the Cup continues to enhance the skills of WA’s stockmen and women, while also emphasizing the importance of animal welfare across the industry.

KPCA CEO Bron Christensen commented, “The Livestock Handling Cup showcases the incredible skill and professionalism of the next generation of northern pastoralists. Their care for animals and mutual support is inspiring, setting a benchmark for our industry’s future. We take pride in witnessing such dedication to continuous improvement, teamwork, and animal welfare.”

Event Highlights

Day one featured an informative program of presentations and workshops focusing on animal health, genetics, leadership, and low-stress stock handling. Participants gained insights from leading industry practitioners and engaged in hands-on concurrent workshops covering vaccination and supplementation strategies, along with leather craftsmanship skills that saw each attendee create a leather belt.

On day two, competitors demonstrated both practical and theoretical stock handling skills before the scrutiny of an expert judging panel consisting of Joni Hall, Ken Tarlinton, and Chris Henggeler, with Neil Earl overseeing the knowledge component.

2025 Results

This year’s competition was intense, with first place decided by a countback of scores:

• 1st Place: Yarrie Station “Sunny Boy Contracting” – Jarrad Symes, Charlotte Riseborough, Geordie Sawyer
  
• 2nd Place: Liveringa Station “Hard to Say” – Oscar Halford, Georgia Henderson, Katie Kerby
  
• 3rd Place: Fossil Downs Station “Bovine Relocation Experts” – Justin May, Miya McMillan, Marcus Pearce
  
• Highly Commended: Yarrie Station “Dusty Dames and Dam Yank” – Cal Wold, Imogen Vince, Jen Colditz
  
• Encouragement Award: Kalyeeda Station “Across the Ditch” – Lucy Griffith, Danielle Houlahan, Fraser Caseley
  
• Kachana Award: Sophie McIntyre – Anna Plains Station (presented by Chris Henggeler)
  
• Rising Rookie Award: Zach Lynton – Anna Plains Station (presented by Joni Hall)
  

Bron Christensen emphasized, “The Cup is more than just a competition; it’s about building capacity, sharing knowledge, and investing in the future leaders of our industry. The enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated this year affirm the strength of that future.”