Representing Western Australia: James Wasley (19)
James is the Western Australian state finalist at the 2021 Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges finals held at the Royal Queensland Show. Agricultural Shows of Australia sat down with James to learn about his background with beef. He’d had a long day fencing when he spoke to us from the property he works on in Dandaragan as farm hand on a large cattle property.
I am from Dandaragan which is known for its diverse landscape and highly productive versatile agricultural land. Dandaragan is roughly 160kms north of Perth. I have grown up on a mixed farm enterprise and have been around cattle all my life and I’m passionate about producing the best animal to suit your production program.
I entered my first competition at the Wagin Woolorama (my favourite show because it displays and celebrates the skills involved in animal agriculture) where I then placed and earned a spot at the state finals in Perth where I won. I could not believe I’d won, as I don’t come from a stud cattle background. I used the knowledge that I picked up from my farm teacher at school and my father.
I started competing in my last year of school and I started competing because I have a general interest in judging cattle and I wanted to push myself to become more confident talking in front of people. I have Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD.
My farm teacher Ray Batt taught me the correct terminology of the parts of the cow.
My proudest moment so far has to be winning the state championship in Perth. My most embarrassing moment has to be getting my foot crushed by a heifer whilst cattle handling at the Wagin Woolorama.
One day, I’d like to manage or own a cattle property.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks