The top ranked young Merino judges from each state will vye for national title at the Royal Melbourne Show
The winners from each state competition will battle it out for the title of 2024 Merino Sheep Young Judging National Champion when they put their skills to test at Royal Melbourne.
This prestigious competition highlights the nation’s brightest young talent in Merino Sheep judging to be held at the Royal Melbourne Show on 1 October 2024, at 2:00 pm.
Agricultural Shows Australia organises the Young Judges Competition right across the country with the aim to nurture and showcase young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who have demonstrated through regional and state competitions exceptional skills in communication, public speaking and breed-specific knowledge,”
“This year we are thrilled to welcome a group of highly knowledgeable and confident young men and women from around the country who are deeply interested in and involved in the Merino Sheep industry,” explains Katie Stanley of Agricultural Shows Australia.
“When judging it is important to consider the “form” and “function” of the animal as this determines what it has been grown for. In the case of the Merino Sheep, these have all been grown for the function of producing meat and wool,” Katie Stanley added.
Take the opportunity to follow these up-and-coming judges in the 2024 competition and learn more about how they became state representatives in the summary below.
2024 Merino Sheep Young Judging National Finalists
Kasey Shields 22 (VIC)
With a decade of experience in the sheep show industry, Kasey has won all three major Victorian AgShows sheep competitions.
Currently based on a dairy farm in Noorat Victoria, she is a stockfeed account manager and has also judged at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
Ashley Meaburn 23 (TAS)
Working on her family farm in Oatlands Tasmania, Ashley has a deep passion for Merino sheep and the stud industry, gaining valuable experience through shows, ram sales and young judges competitions.
Bateson Pittman 17 (NSW)
From the Tia Valley of Walcha NSW, Bateson manages the family’s Merino stud, “Glenburnie,” and has been a competitive young judge for five years.
He recently won the Sydney Royal State Final after qualifying at the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show.
Beau Maddern 17 (SA)
A Year 11 student at Cummins Area School, Beau works as a school-based apprentice at a Poll Merino sheep stud, ‘Brimanna.’
He has shown rams at the Royal Adelaide Show and enjoys the preparation and ram sale process.
Grace Hillier 23 (QLD)
Growing up involved in her family’s sheep stud, Grace has competed in junior judging across Queensland and is excited about the learning opportunity the National Finals will provide.
Grace is anxious to compete and compare Queensland’s standards with those from around Australia.
Flynn Bolt 16 (WA)
From Corrigin WA, Flynn, a boarding student at Guilford Grammer School in Perth, often returns to his family’s mixed farming property where he is heavily involved in their Merino sheep operation.
With a strong background in Merino sheep showing, Flynn has also shown promise in Merino judging, placing second in his first Wagin Woolorama WA open competition when he was just 11 years old.
The ASA Young Judges National Finals at Melbourne Royal Show will be held on 1 October 2024 at 2:00 pm and will showcase the future leaders in the Merino sheep industry.
