SIX young sheep industry stakeholders will via for the national Merino sheep young judging championship being staged during Melbourne Royal Show next week.

The competition aimed 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, Katie Stanley from Agricultural Shows Australia said.

“This year we 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,” she said.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the 2024 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. 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 Glenburnie Merino stud, 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 the Brimanna Poll Merino sheep stud. 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, as she compares 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 open competition when he was just 11 years old.

The ASA Young Judges National Finals at Melbourne Royal Show will be held on October 1 from 2pm, and will be an excellent showcase of the future leaders in the Merino sheep industry.