The national finals of the Agricultural Shows young judges and paraders competition will recognise the best new talent in dairy cattle judging
The most promising young dairy 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 next month.
The competition will run from 12 to 14 October 2023 and brings together the best young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state to compete at the national finals. Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions.
The national championships are held in a different location each year. For 2023, the event is being hosted by Tasmanian Ag Shows and held at the Launceston Royal Show.
These are the young judges that have qualified to compete in the 2023 Dairy cattle competition.
QUEENSLAND
Britney Holt, 22, from Gympie will be representing Queensland in the young judges dairy cattle competition.
Britney had this to say, “I grew up on a dairy farm and worked on my brother’s farm for two years. I’ve been involved with young judges since 2017 and I really enjoy being able to put your opinions forward and learn from others.
Gaining confidence in public speaking has been really good and I’m just hoping to achieve my best in Tasmania.
“Winning supreme champion with my own cow has definitely made my passion for judging stronger and drives my passion,” Britney added.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Brittany Liebech, 23, will be representing South Australia in the young judges dairy cattle competition.
Brittany said, “I’ve been on a dairy farm my whole life and I like the breeding aspect of the cows; trying to breed well, dabbling in different bulls, and trying to achieve the best.
“The national finals is a great chance to look at different cows to what we have on the mainland and learn what other judges look for in their ideal cow,” Brittany added.
TASMANIA
William Dudfield, 25, from Somerset will be representing Tasmania in the young judges dairy cattle competition.
William relayed his previous experience, “I’ve been showing since I was three years old and I’ve been a part of the paraders since I was nine.
“I really enjoy the competitive side of it and it’s hard to go past coming second at nationals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show last year. I’m from a dairy farm and although I’m in civil construction now, it’s something I’ll always enjoy,” William added.
VICTORIA
Georgia Sieben, 20, from Torrumbarry will be representing Victoria in the young judges dairy cattle competition.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Macs Rubain, 18, from Camden South will be representing New South Wales in the young judges dairy cattle competition.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Jaxon Micallef, 18, from Harvey will be representing Western Australia in the young judges dairy cattle competition.
THE COMPETITIONS
Overall 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 dairy cattle young judges will be determined by who most accurately placed the animals from first to fourth according to its form and characteristics.
Dr. Rob Wilson is chairman of Agricultural Shows Australia, the peak body overseeing 572 agricultural shows in Australia which attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1billion to the national economy, and says the competition is designed to recognise the best new talent in livestock judging nationwide.
“It’s an extremely prestigious event and positions at the nationals are keenly contested,” Dr. Wilson explains.
“These young people are the future of agricultural show competitions which are crucial to the continual improvement of Australia’s food and fibre. The national competition is a coveted opportunity to grow personally and professionally by practising skills against the cream of the crop,” Dr. Wilson concluded.
The National Dairy Cattle Young Judges Championship will be held at 2.30pm on Friday 13 October 2023. Find more about the competition here.
National finalists 2023
Queensland | Britney Holt
South Australia Brittany Liebich
Victoria | Georgia Sieben
New South Wales | Macs Rubain
Western Australia | Jaxon Micallef
Tasmania | William Dudfield
