Queensland’s best young agricultural talent bound for national championships
Eight talented young Queenslanders are heading to the Ekka next month to compete for national glory.
The 2026 Agricultural Shows Australia’s National Young Judges and Paraders Championships will run from 6-10 August 2026 at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka).
The prestigious competition includes paraders of beef and dairy cattle, young judges of beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, and poultry, 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 championships are hosted by Queensland Ag Shows.
QLD finalists
Kiralee Streeter, 20, Monto | Beef Cattle Paraders
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.
Beau Magann, 20, Petrie | Beef Cattle Young Judges
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.”
Frances English, 18, Malanda | Dairy Cattle Young Judges
Frances English’s family has been exhibiting dairy cattle at the local Malanda Show since 1916; a tradition Frances joined at the age of 12.
“I believe that our local Malanda show is possibly one of the best in Australia. The dairy cattle section is absolutely booming and I am proud that I am able to be a part of such an extraordinary show,” Francis said.
“Competitions like the Young Judges and Paraders are important because it involves the youth into shows and creates a pathway for young kids to be able to gain more knowledge and understanding of why people show dairy cattle.”
Francis is currently completing Year 12 and a Certificate 3 in Business Administration.
Brooke Emery, 22, Brisbane | Grains Young Judges
Brooke Emery runs her own doggy daycare business and works as an agricultural assistant at Burpengary State Secondary College.
Although she grew up in Brisbane’s suburbs, Brooke has been competing in judging events at the Ekka since she was 13-years-old.
“Judging is so important for kids because it not only teaches public speaking but to be confident in your own opinion and not to care what others think because at the end of the day it’s your own judgement,” Brooke said.
Brooke credits her mother, and her former agriculture teacher, Fiona Lester, for helping shape her journey in the agricultural industry.
Brooke Bennett, 18, Pittsworth | Dairy Cattle Paraders
Vet nurse Brooke Bennett has been showing Ayrshire cattle for as long as she can remember, often alongside her grandfather. She began competing in parader events at just seven-years-old.
One of Brooke’s standout memories is continuing her family’s Ayrshire showing legacy, including a heifer born in 2017 on her birthday that she raised and competed with for several years. The two are inseparable to this day.
“Shows are important to me as there is so much you can learn. Showing is something that’s been in my blood for generations and I want to carry it on for years to come,” Brooke said.
Hayley Walker, 24, Cedar Vale | Poultry Young Judges
Hayley Walker is the first generation in her family to have a strong passion for agriculture. She’s involved in breeding and showing poultry but also has an interest in the beef cattle industry.
Hayley’s an active supporter of breed club shows, including the Indian Game Club of Australia and Pekin Bantam Club of Queensland events, as well as the Ipswich Poultry Club show.
Hayley believes agricultural shows play an important role in opening doors for people from all backgrounds to build connections and lifelong involvement in the industry.
Hannah Haupt, 23, Redlands | Meat Sheep Breeds Young Judges
Hannah Haupt has competed in sheep judging events across Australia since 2015 and is part of the Queensland ASSBA Associate Judges panel.
She placed second at the 2024 National Meat Sheep Young Judges competition, a milestone she describes as particularly meaningful given her city background.
“I learned how to judge and handle sheep through my school livestock show team but outside of that I had zero experience with livestock,” Hannash said.
“My agricultural science teacher back in grade seven, Kirsty Hart, was a huge help for teaching me about agriculture and getting me interested in agriculture, sheep, and judging and showing.”
Hannah works as a scientist in microbiology and hopes to find ways to combine her scientific career with her passion for sheep and agriculture.
Angus Hacker, 25, Muckadilla | Merino Sheep Young Judges and Merino Fleece Young Judges
Growing up on his family’s third-generation Roselea sheep stud at Muckadilla (population: 12), Angus Hacker has spent a lifetime around sheep and the show ring.
Angus is a senior associate in agribusiness lending at Bendigo Bank and plans to return west one day to leave his mark on the family’s stud operation.
One of his favourite show memories was sharing success with his brother in the wool judging competition.
“I started competing in the junior judging competition as it’s a big part of what we do at home and it’s a good opportunity to learn more about stud sheep and the industry, ” Angus said.
Sponsors:
- Beef Cattle Young Judges: Vytelle; The Cattle Shop
- Beef Cattle Young Paraders: Cattle Australia; The Cattle Shop
- Merino Sheep Young Judges: Australian Wool Innovation; National Council of Wool Selling Brokers
- Merino Fleece Young Judges: Australian Wool Innovation; National Council of Wool Selling Brokers
- Grains Young Judges: Lawson Grains