Adelaide Show: Junior judge Andrew Gray puts judge skills to test

Mr Gray said the opportunity to take part in activities such as the Ayrshire judging day and the all-breeds heifer show have also helped him to develop his skills and confidence.

He says assessing cows is an important skill.

“As a stud breeder, judging is central to what you do,” he said.

“The better judge you are, the better breeder you are.”

Overjudge Caitlin Liebich, Glencoe, said the competitors had a tough class to judge, with justifications for any of the cows to stand at the top of the line.

“But key to judging is having the confidence to stick to your guns,” she said.

“Judges need to weigh up things that are most important to them and stick with those.”

Ms Liebich said there were several core things that judges needed to consider when assessing a cow.

"Form must follow function – we breed dairy cows to make milk,” she said.

“Go back to basics and think about what a cow has to do every day and apply that when judging.”

Second place went to Bridget Liebelt, Meadows, with Courtney Afford, Woods Point, in third.

The encouragement award went to Kate Close, Orroroo.

Winner of the under-15s section was Angus Fraser, Malanda, Qld, with Cameron Braendler, Jervois, second.