Vytelle has announced the state and territory finalists set to compete in the national beef cattle paraders and young judges contests at this year’s Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges and Paraders Championships, for which Vytelle holds naming rights.

Rod Linke

The championships run from 6 to 10 August 2026 at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka), hosted this year by Queensland Ag Shows.

Alongside the beef and dairy cattle paraders and young judges contests, the event includes competitions across grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, and poultry, plus the Australian Young Farmers Challenge and National Rural Ambassador Award.

Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions. The national championships are held in a different location each year. This year’s competition is hosted by Queensland Ag Shows. 

“The Beef Cattle Paraders competition gives young people hands-on experience handling and presenting cattle in the show ring, while building confidence and industry connections” Vytelle’s Rod Linke explains.

“For many competitors, it’s also a pathway into future careers in the beef industry and wider agricultural show circuit.”

“Paraders have one hour to familiarise themselves with and prepare their allocated animal, before presenting it in the ring”

“They walk clockwise with the animal, using a show cane for direction, and must position the cattle to showcase its best features when the judge signals to stop. Judges assess presentation quality, handling confidence, and knowledge of the animal, even swapping cattle between competitors to test their adaptability. It’s a complete test – can you prepare an animal professionally and then present it with poise while answering questions about breed, age, and weight?”

In the beef cattle judges class, competitors assess three classes; bulls and females, ranking four animals in each class from first to fourth.

“The real challenge comes in the oral presentation, where they have just two minutes to explain their decisions through comparison and accurate observation,” Rod said. 

NT: Alyssa Harris, 17, Humpty Doo

“I started competing through my agriculture course and I’m just excited to see where this can take me in the future,”  Alyssa said.

Alongside completing Year 12 and a Certificate III in Agriculture, Alyssa is also running an animal mixing business, balancing study, work and competition preparation. She’s keen on a career in agriculture and hopes to either work on a station or study veterinary medicine in the future. 

Agricultural training and mentorship have played a major role in building confidence and skills in the ring.

“My agriculture courses and especially my trainers Sarah and Bec have meant a lot,” Alyssa said. “They’ve really helped me get to this point.”

The Ekka has long been on the bucket list for Alyssa,

“I’ve seen lots of videos and it looks like such an interesting place,” Alyssa said. “I’m really looking forward to being there.”

NT: Nicole Wilson, 17, Katherine 

Nicole Wilson is  in Year 11 at Katherine High School and completing a Certificate III in Rural Operations through Katherine Rural College. She works part-time at the Katherine Club after school.

Nicole became involved with showing cattle while completing her Certificate II in Agriculture through Katherine Rural College.

Her first show experience came at the Katherine Show in 2025, before progressing to the Darwin Show where she claimed first place in cattle judging and secured her place at the national finals at the Ekka.

“I had a lot of doubts at first whether or not I’d make it, so it was a really big surprise when they announced my name,” Nicole said.

“Seeing my lecturers’ faces when I won was probably the best part.”

Agriculture quickly became a major passion after being introduced to competitions through a close friend and the rural college program.

“My best friend Willow Brennan got me involved and my lecturers Toni Wuersching and Zara McCarthy have helped me a lot along the way,” Nicole said.

Although she only started competing last year, the experience has already helped build confidence and pursue a career in the cattle industry. 

“In five years’ time I’d hopefully like to still be working with cattle,” Nicole said.

SA: Maddison Hann, 17, Lucindale

Maddison hails from a seedstock and commercial cattle operation. Her family runs Angus and Brangus/Ultrablack cattle and sell around 150 bulls each year. 

Through showing cattle at local, junior and Royal shows across Australia, the year 12 student has developed a love for cattle handling, beef production, cattle breeding and genetics.

“It’s important to have paraders’ competitions because the skills I’ve learnt competing are the same skills required for good stock handling and stockmanship,” Maddison said.

Maddison plans to travel to North America and Canada in the future to learn more about global beef production systems and bring new knowledge back home. 

SA: Olivia Baker, 19, Furner

Olivia Baker grew up showing cattle through her family’s Simmental stud, Woonallee Simmentals. 

Competing since the age of eight, Olivia has developed a strong interest in the beef industry and hopes to study veterinary science in the future. She’s currently a receptionist at the Kingston Veterinary Clinic as well as a mat and reformer Pilates instructor at EJ studio in Penola and The Mat Method in Furner.

Olivia’s biggest show ring achievement came last year when she won the 2025 National Champion Parader in Adelaide.

“Showing cattle has helped me build confidence, develop my skills and make lifelong connections in the industry,” Olivia said.

VIC: Jayde Grylls, 16, Tynong North

Year 11 student Jayde Grylls has been showing cattle since the age of five through her family’s stud, Grylls Cattle Co. 

One of Jayde’s proudest achievements is winning Grand Champion Herdsperson at the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show in 2024 and 2025, competing against more than 250 exhibitors. 

“Cow shows are extremely important to me because of the connections, opportunities and lifelong friendships they create,” Jayde said.

Jayde plans to study agribusiness while continuing to help run Grylls Cattle Co alongside her family.

VIC: Brittany Abbott, 24, Kolora

Brittany Abbott grew up listening to stories from her nan of what makes a good cow. She’s the third generation at Turanga Red Poll Stud and works at the Rural Industries Skill Training Centre, training the next generation of agricultural professionals.

“I always loved talking about cows but I was first introduced to judging competitions at local shows in my early teens. It encouraged me to develop my public speaking skills, structural knowledge and a greater exposure to different cattle breeds and types,” Brittany said. 

“Shows are a great place to develop skills, build knowledge and network. I would encourage anyone to have a crack at judging because it is not a skill that limits you to the show ring, but rather a skill that can help you in all aspects of the industry.

WA: Fletcher Wetherell, 21, Boyanup 

Fletcher Wetherell attended his first Perth Royal Show at just 10-days-old. He was three when he first took to the ring for a calf competition and admits he’s not sure who would have been leading who – but Fletcher was hooked.

Fletcher’s grandfather prides himself on producing quality cattle and clean presentable work sheds, and Fletcher now follows suit. Outside the show ring he works as an electrician specialising in solar and off-grid systems and joins a weekend fishing competition any chance he gets. 

One of Fletcher’s proudest achievements was helping his family win five interbreed titles at the 2024 Perth Royal Show with their Simmental cattle.

“Shows have been a huge part of my life. I love presenting quality cattle and representing our stud in the best way possible,” Fletcher said.

WA: Grace Henderson, 19, Esperance

Grace Henderson’s love for cattle (or ‘oversized grass puppies’ as she describes them) began at just five-years-old when her mum introduced her to showing.

Grace works on Nerrima Pastoral and Kalyeeda Station near Derby, helping manage around 10,000 Brangus and Droughtmaster breeder cattle while completing a Certificate IV in Agriculture.

“These competitions are a great way for young people to learn, build networks and become more involved in Australia’s agricultural industry,” Grace said.

Grace hopes to establish her own Speckle Park beef stud and Ayrshire dairy stud down the track, while also mentoring the next generation of young agricultural enthusiasts and volunteering at Royal Agricultural Society youth events. 

TAS: Ashtyn Willey, 22, North West Tasmania

Ashtyn Willey doesn’t come from an agricultural background but found a love of cattle through the farm at Tasman District School. 

Since then, she has become heavily involved in agricultural shows across Tasmania, building her skills in cattle judging and developing strong industry networks.

Now working as an agronomist and field officer, Ashtyn stays connected to the beef industry through shows and competitions. One of her proudest moments came when she won the Tasmanian state finals in Beef Cattle Young Judges, while her younger sister claimed reserve honours.

“These competitions provide so many opportunities, and through people I have met on the show circuit I have been provided opportunities to show on the mainland and overseas,” Ashtyn said.

Ashtyn hopes to purchase a small farm of her own one day and continue her career in agriculture.

TAS: Ruby Rayner, 16, Sheffield

Ruby Rayner grew up on a beef property at Sheffield and has been showing cattle since watching her older sister compete. She entered her first show in 2020 and is a regular competitor at agricultural shows across northern Tasmania.

Winning the Tasmanian state final in front of her family was a standout moment for the Year 10 Sheffield High School student. 

“I’ve always enjoyed showing cattle. It’s hard work at times, but I love it,” Ruby said.

The Ekka has long been on Ruby’s bucket list and will be her first opportunity to compete outside Tasmania.

QLD: Kiralee Streeter, 20, Monto 

Kiralee Streeter started showing cattle in 2014 when she joined her local high school cattle club. She went on to exhibit her own steers and has been a familiar face in the show ring ever since.

Now working as a station hand and stud groom for Glenlands D Droughtmasters, Kiralee has built strong skills in cattle handling and presentation. One of her proudest achievements was winning the Beef Cattle Paraders state final.

“I believe these competitions are important because they give younger generations a pathway into the agricultural industry and help the industry continue to grow,” Kiralee said.

QLD: Beau Magann, 20, Petrie 

Beau Magann credits his former Dakabin State High School teacher and mentor, Fiona Lester, for sparking his love of agriculture. The dedicated teacher spent her weekends “dealing with 20 kids and 20 cattle in the wet, cold, dark mornings.”

Under Fiona’s guidance, Beau showed Lowline and Square Meaters through the school’s agricultural program. Since then he’s worked on stations throughout North and Western Queensland, is now employed in the food services industry, and owns Paddock Productions, a photography and videography company.

“This industry has completely changed the direction of my life,” Beau said. “Through showing cattle and being involved in competitions like these, I’ve gained confidence, knowledge, opportunities and lifelong connections.”

NSW: Isabella Pearce, 18, Spring Creek 

Raised on her family’s farm near Orange, Isabella Pearce is a first year agriculture student at University of New England, Armidale and has spent four years competing in the cattle section at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, where she won Grand Champion Parader.

“Agricultural shows are important to me because of the strong sense of community they create,” Isabella said. “They’ve helped build my confidence, skills and lifelong connections within the cattle industry.”

Isabella hopes to build a career in the livestock industry and give back to the youth programs and agricultural shows that have shaped her interests.

NSW: Matilda Cronin, 18, Narromine 

Matilda Cronin works at Clonal Forestry and studies Animal Care at TAFE, with plans to become a veterinary nurse in the future. She’s also a regular on her local soccer pitch where she coaches younger players. 

Matilda won the Sydney Royal NSW Young Judges Competition in her first attempt, a major highlight in her young judging career. She has also competed at events like the Scone Beef Bonanza.

“Winning at Sydney Royal was a shock and a really proud moment,” Matilda said. “I’ve learned so much from the people around me and the competitions I’ve done.”

Cattle Australia, and The Cattle Shop are also supporters of these classes.