UP-AND-COMING cattle judge Chris Muller, Glencoe, will represent SA on the national stage for the third time, after a strong performance in the beef cattle junior judging competition.
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The 23-year-old placed second behind Clayton Ray, Mount Annan, NSW, but as the top performing SA competitor, Mr Muller has qualified to compete at the national young judges championship in Vic next year.
A two-time state winner, he previously competed in national finals in WA in 2012 and Qld in 2014. “I like that judging relates back to the beef industry, and in selection of cattle, draft and commercial, it relates back to the fundamentals of the industry,” Mr Muller said.
Five-time winner Josh Wiltshire – a beef and sheep producer at Mount Pleasant – adjudicated the competition, and was looking for confident speakers.
“It is a really special award to win, especially to go to a national final,” he said. “I’ve seen Chris judge a number of times and his concise speaking ability on a microphone got him in the top three. “He has the natural ability to pick out cattle.”
In addition to working on his family’s property, Rellum Farms, Mr Muller is completing an external commerce and applied finance double degree through the University of SA. “I’d like to judge more shows, get more experience and put my opinion forward in the industry,” he said.
Mr Ray said he started his judging at school six years ago and has since won the Sydney Royal Easter Show heifer judging. “It’s a really good opportunity for younger people to judge and gives you a chance to express your opinions on cattle, especially a feature breed,” he said.
