Winner of the ASA Merino sheep young judges competition at the Ekka, Angus Knox, right, with runner-up Ryan Philp.

THE importance of mentors to young people in agriculture has been highlighted by the winners of Agricultural Shows Australia’s National Young Judges meat sheep, Merino sheep and wool competitions at the Royal Queensland Show or Ekka in Brisbane recently.

Winner of the Merino sheep judging competition was Angus Know, 20, from Conargo in New South Wales.

Angus said he has been very lucky to have industry legends to mentor him and support his journey since leaving school.

“They have taught me so much and I am grateful to their time and knowledge they continue to pass onto me,” he said.

Angus grew up on his family’s farm near Conargo and developed an interest in livestock through working with Merino sheep and Angus cattle. He began jackarooing with Wanganella and Poll Boonoke Merino Stud after leaving school and got into Merino sheep shows and junior judging competitions.

Angus is now an overseer at Burrabogie for Australian Food & Agriculture and has competed at major sheep shows across Australia, including Adelaide, Bendigo and Dubbo.

The Merino judging runner-up was Ryan Philp, 16, from Manoora in South Australia, and thanked his mentors after the presentation.

The Year 11 student was raised on a cropping and Merino sheep operation. He got his start in agricultural shows through the South Australian School Merino Wether Challenge at the Royal Adelaide Show and has since competed in young judges competitions across South Australia.

“It’s amazing to come away with runner up especially as I look to pursue a career within the Merino industry.

“I would like to thank my family and mentors in the industry who have helped me so far on this journey,” Ryan said.

The other Merino sheep judging finalists included Ryan Philp, 16, Manoora, South Australia; Angus Knox, 20, Conargo, NSW; Ava Harris, 19, Costerfield in Victoria; Charlton Skirving, 19, Sheffield, Tasmania; Angus Hacker, 25, Muckadilla, Queensland

Merino fleece judging winner is already a mentor

Winner of the ASA Merino fleece young judges competition at the Ekka, Taylor Kain, right, with runner-up Megan Bird.

Winner of the Merino fleece judging competition Taylor Kain, 17, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria has already progressed to be a mentor for other young judges.

She spent her early childhood in Melbourne, but when her family moved to the Mornington Peninsula at age 11 she immediately joined the school-based Flinders Sheep Show Team and discovered her love for animals.

Today, the Year 11 student mentors younger students and has recently started her own small sheep flock, with plans to grow into stud breeding. Taylor hopes to work in agriculture-based education, helping the next generation of young show competitors.

“This win means so much to me.

“I hope that all the kids on the Flinders Sheep Show Team that I mentor see this win for them as well,” Taylor said.

Merino fleece judging runner-up Megan Bird, 22, from Western Creek in Tasmania never planned to work in agriculture, but has built a career around wool, working full-time as a wool handler for the past four years.

Megan is studying an Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management and a Certificate IV in Wool Classing at Longerenong College in Victoria.

“Coming to the National Championships has been a great opportunity to meet new people and make connections.

“I am currently completing my wool classing certificate and I look forward to continuing in the industry,” she said.

The other Merino fleece judging finalists included Savannah Trevenen, 18, from Lake Grace in Western Australia; Summer Sutherland, 19, from Denmark, in WA, and; Gwendolyn Van Zwol, 19, from Mt Pleasant in South Australia, NSW; Jocelyn Cafe, 16, Rylstone, NSW, and; Angus Hacker, 25, Muckadilla, Queensland.

Meat breed judging winner has many mentors

Winner of the ASA meat breed sheep young judges competition at the Ekka was Jessica Gregory, right, with runner-up Charlotte Poker.

The winner of the meat breed young judging competition Jessica Gregory, 20, from Bittern in Victoria said she has had many mentors and combined their guidance with “lots of years of hard work.”

She grew up on a family farm and began showing sheep through her school’s sheep stud at age 13 and has been working on qualifying for the national championships since she was 15. Jessica works in the cropping industry in Victoria’s Wimmera region.

“I have travelled to NZ and many mentors along the way.

“It has been a great experience and very encouraging for the next generation,” Jessica said.

Runner-up Charlotte Poker, 24, from the Adelaide Hills In South Australia found her way into agriculture through sheep showing at Urrbrae Agricultural High School and went on to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide.

She now works with Thomas Foods International as a livestock administrator, while still staying involved in shows and associate judging across South Australia.

“This award means a lot.

“I have competed for five years in South Australia in this competition and I am delighted to represent the state in this competition today,” Charlotte said.

The other meat breed judging finalists included Western Australia’s Kendall Heliams, 19;  Hannah Haupt, 23, of Redlands, Queensland; Brendan Mitchell, 18, of Bathurst, NSW; Jessica Gregory, 20, from Bittern in Victoria, and; Charlton Skirving, 19, Sheffield, Tasmania.

The Merino Sheep and Fleece Young Judges classes are sponsored by Australian Wool Innovation and the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia.