AFTER helping out as an associate judge at the 2015 Royal Adelaide Show, young Eyre Peninsula stud sheep breeder Klay Smith said an interest grew in him to pursue the skill further.
“Our stud (Glenville stud, Cowell) doesn’t show sheep but I still wanted learn more about the craft because I have been offered other judging jobs in the past, but haven’t been comfortable in doing them without more experience,” he said.
“We judge sheep pretty much every day when classing at home, but it’s different in the ring at the show in front of a crowd, it’s all very official.”
The ingrained skills of the 22-year-old were strong enough during the state Merino sheep young judges competition on Thursday, where Mr Smith was named the Len J Anderson trophy winner of the senior section, 15 to 25 years of age, on 134 points.
“I like making sheep into a line and then putting them in order for the aspects you don’t like,” he said.
“I know what I like and don’t like, I know what’s easy care and what’s not, and then there’s a bit on instinct.”
Mr Smith has been working back on the family farm for four years.
“Breeding sheep is all I have ever wanted to do,” he said.
“There aren’t a lot of young people getting involved these days and events like this (young judges) get the younger generation interested. The industry is exciting at the moment, and the number of younger kids returning to farming is increasing as there is actually money in sheep.”
University of Adelaide agricultural science student Kayla Starkey, 21, Mount Pleasant, was runner-up in the senior competition on 131 points, while Birdwood High School student Emi Hughes, 15, came third with 128 points.
Mr Smith will represent the state in the national competition held at the Royal Adelaide Show next year.
Last year’s state Merino sheep young judge Jackie Chapman also participated in the competition, but only as practice before competing in the national finals at the Royal Geelong Show in Geelong, Vic, later this month.
In the junior competition for 12-15-year-olds, a top six was announced, with Faith Lutheran College student Brooke Friebel, 14, Robertstown, taking the Murray K Allen trophy with 129 points.
It was the second year Ms Friebel had participated in the competition, saying it was a valuable experience.
“I enjoy looking over all the different types of breeds and then assessing the differences within each breed,” she said.
“We have sheep at our school that we practice judging with, assessing structure and doability – what the breeders might look for.”
Junior runner-up went to Erin Cousins, 15, Booborowie, on 125 points, with Sarah Morris, 14, Eudunda, in third on 155, followed by Henry Rowett, 15, Kapunda, on 107; Cody Jones, 15, Booborowie, 104; and Emillie Gould, 14, Lucindale, 102.
Kelsie Suter, 14, Gawler East, was awarded the Landmark achievement award.
Royal Adelaide Show young judges competitions coordinator Dick Sampson said they had record entries in the event, with 41 seniors and 35 juniors from across SA.
“More schools have been getting involved, with some of the agricultural teachers being past participants in the competition,” he said.
Alisha Fogden
Journalist at Australian Community Media newspapers since 2007.
Journalist at Australian Community Media newspapers since 2007.
