New faces in the Royal Adelaide Show grains judging

Five University of Adelaide Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences students, ranging from first year to third year, were involved in the judging process at the Adelaide Showground last week.  

Deputy chair Peter Smith, who oversaw the students on the day, said the committee was keen to include more educational opportunities within the grains judging.

“We invited University of Adelaide cropping/agronomy students from any year level to come and be part of the grains judging process at the show,” he said.

”The students got to meet the judges, people from the industry, assisted the stewards, and were part of the judging process.”

Wheat, barley, oats, triticale, pulses, small seeds, oilseeds and fodder entries were judged on the day.

“In the wheat judging, the students were able to pre-judge the entries and then compare their process with how the judges came to their conclusions,” Mr Smith said.

Participating student Rebekah Starick, Punthari, said she jumped at the invitation, as she “always had a passion for shows” and wanted to learn more about what went on behind the scenes in the grains and fodder judging.

“We learned how important the visual look of the grain and fodder is in the judging process,” she said.

“I have worked a few seasons at the Viterra silos, so it was interesting to see how what I have learned from that experience applied in grain judging as well.”

Mr Smith said the committee planned to offer the experience again next year, extending the invitation to tafeSA and private providers with Certificate III in Agriculture students.

“We aim to strengthen the possibility of people wanting to enter the industries of crop production and agronomy, by exposing them to new opportunities,” he said.

Oats are the feature grain at the show this year and a new oat variety will be launched by SARDI on Monday, September 4, while the grain award winners will be announced on Tuesday, September 5.