Courtney Afford (24) from Woods Point, South Australia and Jaxon Gillam (22) from Burnie, Tasmania have taken out Australia’s top spot in the Agricultural Shows Australia young dairy cattle parader championship for 2021 and 2022 respectively at the Sydney Royal Easter Show today.
Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA) staged the national championships of young judges and paraders competitions with finalists from each state of Australia and New Zealand.
2021 Champion Courtney Afford (24) from Woods Point, South Australia
“I’ve been going to shows since I was a baby. In fact, I attended my first Adelaide show at 9 months old. Originally, I helped out my Uncle and Aunt’s string at Boldview Farms for many years, whilst also showing our own cows. I mainly started getting involved through leading some calves at our local Calf Day and Adelaide Show, thanks to support from my parents, cousins and grandparents. This passion then developed through Youth Camps and Youth focus days, which allowed my sister and I to develop the skills and knowledge to start running our own string of cows at the show,” Courtney said.
Runner up for 2021 was Georgia Sieben (18) from Torrumbarry, Victoria and third was Thomas Wade (21) from Mudjimba, Queensland.
Runner up for 2022 was Tegan Afford (20) from Woods Point, South Australia and third was Abbie Hanks (16) from Cobden, Victoria.
2022 Champion Jaxon Gillam (22) from Burnie, Tasmania
Young paraders are assessed on their presentation, confidence and technique in handling the animal. As well as their knowledge about the animal and use of cattle terminology.
The national championships are held in a different location each year. This year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, celebrating its bicentenary, is hosting the 2022 championships including the 2021 finalists who were unable to compete at Ekka due to covid cancellations.
The National judges and paraders competition 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.
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.
Dr. Rob Wilson is chairman of ASA, the peak body overseeing 572 agricultural shows in Australia which attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1billion to the national economy. Rob 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.”
About Agricultural Shows Australia
Agricultural Shows of Australia (ASA) was established to promote the role and significance of Australian agricultural shows to the wider community. ASA’s vision is a strong and vibrant network of agricultural shows working together to engage, influence and promote the essential value of Australian agriculture. Membership of the ASA is made up of capital city Royal Agricultural Societies and state-based agricultural show bodies, together representing over 580 agricultural shows.
For more information about the competition visit https://agshowsaustralia.org.au/educational-resources/dairy-cattle-parading/