A local cattle farmer won a national award recognizing dedication and devotion to increasing stockmanship and maintaining the highest quality standards.

Rossendale's Devon Donald, 20, was named the Canadian Junior Angus Association Stockman of the Year at the organization's National Convention last week. The award carried a $3,500 bursary to be put toward genetics development and earned the young producer an invite to the Canadian Junior Angus Showdown July 20-22 in Lloydminster, Alta.

"It's an award that recognizes the top junior stockman from all across Canada so it's a pretty big honour to win it," Donald says. "It's really special, not just money-wise or being named the winner, but it helps get my name out there. It's going to open a lot more doors. Obviously, I'm just kind of starting out but this will really push me forward and get my name out across Canada."

Donald owns and operates Diamond D Ranch, which specializes in purebred Black Angus cattle production.