A YOUNG sheep enthusiast has turned his eye to Angora goats and won the state finals of the Angora goat and mohair fleece junior judging competition.
James Lines, Burra Community School, took some time out from working with his school's wether entries to share his opinions on four Angora kids and won, ahead of Bree Adams, Xavier College in second and Shawna Denman, Unity College.
James said his experience with goats was limited to working with some Boer goats at last year's Royal Adelaide, but he put his hand up to represent his school in the competition.
"I didn't know that much about mohair so I applied my sheep knowledge," he said.
James and Bree are eligible to represent the state at the national event at next year's Royal Adelaide.
The competition also included a champion school's award, won by Unity College.
Over-judges were Greg Peterson of Hahndorf and Rowan Ross, Wilton, NSW.
Mr Ross also turned his hand to judging how students handled the goats for the junior paraders competition.
The winner of the competition was Emily Badnan, Burra Area School, with Will Gould and Livina Smith, both from Lucindale Area school were second and third.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 18, 2014 issue.