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Top young cattle judges meat up for national championships

Beef Central 24/09/2024

Australia’s most promising young beef cattle judges have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals of the prestigious annual competition to be judged early next month.

Sponsored by Cattle Australia, the competition brings together the best young judges aged from 15 to 25 in each state to compete at the national finals.

Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions. This year’s event will be held at Melbourne Royal Show.

VICTORIA

James Barton

James Barton (22) from Mount Martha in Victoria will be representing his state in the beef cattle young judges competition. James has been working with and showing cattle for 11 years and chairs the Berwick Show Cattle Committee. He is a third-year Farrier Apprentice and is focused on breeding an elite herd of Charolais cattle.

“I’ve been showing at the Melbourne Royal since 2015 and this competition is an incredible opportunity to further my skills and passion for the industry,” James said.

 

QUEENSLAND

Daniel Ford

Daniel Ford (20) from Canaga in Queensland grew up on his family’s Charbray stud, where he developed a strong interest in stud cattle. At 13, Daniel began competing in junior judging and parader events.

“This competition has helped boost my confidence, and my siblings and I now have our own Charbray stud that competes in the show circuit,” Daniel shared.

 

TASMANIA

Candina Crowden

Candina Crowden from Tasmania is a owner of OSLO Angus, which she started after winning a registered Angus heifer in 2020. A student of agricultural science, Candina has competed in various judging events and aims for a future career in animal nutrition.

“This competition has been instrumental in shaping my goals in the beef industry,” she said.

 

NEW SOUTH WALES

Mitchel Taylor

Mitchell Taylor, an 18-year-old from Quipolly, NSW, has grown up around cattle and is currently completing his final year of school. Mitchell runs his own Poll Hereford and Shorthorn Stud and has won many state-level competitions.

“This is an exciting opportunity to represent NSW and gain even more experience in the industry I love,” Mitchell said.

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Chelsea Causer

Chelsea Causer (25) from Sanderston in South Australia has been working with livestock all her life, starting with her family’s Murray Grey stud. She and her husband now run their own Sunshine Murray Grey stud, and she is passionate about judging and showing livestock.

“Participating in this competition is another way to hone my judging style and learn from others in the industry,” Chelsea shared.

 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Indiana Smith

Indiana Smith (22) from Rivervale, Western Australia has been in the beef industry for over 12 years, despite starting with a city background. She now runs a small Simmental stud while studying veterinary medicine.

“It’s an honour to represent WA at the Young Judges National Finals in Melbourne this year. I’ve always loved parading and judging and look forward to competing at this level,” she said.

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Dakota Gough

Dakota Gough (22) from Katherine will be representing the Northern Territory. Dakota has aspirations to set up her own genetic consulting business, and was raised on her family’s cattle station “Tangorin” near Hughenden, Queensland. Her cattle showing and judging career started at age 12 in the All Souls St Gabriels Cattle Club in Charters Towers.

The Competitions

There are nine categories for judging and parading each year under the Agricultural Shows Australia national competition program: beef cattle, dairy cattle, alpaca, poultry, Merino sheep, meat breed sheep, and Merino fleece judging, as well as parading competitions in beef and dairy cattle.

The winner of the beef cattle young judges competition will be determined by their ability to most accurately place the animals according to their form and characteristics.

Dr Rob Wilson, chairman of Agricultural Shows Australia, said, “These young people are the future of agricultural show competitions.

This national event is an exciting opportunity for them to showcase their talents and contribute to the continual improvement of Australia’s food and fibre industries.”[END]

The National Beef Cattle Young Judges Championship will be held at 3pm on 2 October, 2024. Agricultural Shows Australia will issue a press release to announce the results once they are available. Media are welcome to attend the national finals.

Source: Agricultural Shows Australia

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