Aspiring young wool, livestock and grains judges got a chance to hone their skills at the second annual South East Young Judges workshop, held at the Naracoorte Showgrounds on Monday.
Eighty six students from Naracoorte High School, Lucindale Area School, Bordertown High School and Kangaroo Inn Area School gained valuable tips about judging, and even some life skills.
They participated in sessions on how to judge meat sheep, beef cattle, grains, Merino sheep, Merino fleece, which were taken by experienced judges and stud breeders.
SA Country Shows president Francis Andrews said the event, run by the South East & Border Shows Association was a very successful day.
He said it was great to see participants learning about agriculture, as well as understanding the many opportunities to be gained from entering Young Judges competitions.
“We start here with the basics and give them the confidence to then enter country shows and state competitions and from there they might go on to nationals,” he said.
“It is not only the experience of judging but also learning the art of public speaking which a lot of young people tend to shy away from nowadays.”
“It is one of many steps to help young people go into a good employment situation.”
Six students who placed the four animals in the judging trial in the same order as the overjduge were invited to speak in the day’s final session.
Naracoorte High School students Angus McKenzie, Ben Frick and Sarah Haynes and Lucindale Area School's Shari Vickers, Isabella Stock and Taylor Ryan received entry passes to the Royal Adelaide Show for their efforts and to encourage them to enter the state finals.
The Royal Adelaide Show is also hosting the national finals this year with the best judges from across Australia and New Zealand in action.
