Adelaide Show: Jai Thomas' bet with dad helps develop dairy judging skills

Jai’s family has an Illawarra stud as well as a Shorthorn stud, and he has recently been heavily involved in the school steers competition.

“Before I competed I had to sit alongside the dairy ring and watch some classes,” he said.

“I had to switch my mind to dairy mode.

“Obviously a dairy cow is for milk so the main thing is the udder.

“You also want a cow to last a long-time, so they need good structure as well.”

Jai said his knowledge of dairy cows came from a young age, helping out his family with the two studs.

He has a routine with his father that he said had helped to build some of his skills.

“Dad and I, leading up to the show, we have bets on what will win and how they will place,” he said.

While enjoying a friendly competitive judging set-up with his father, last year’s Royal Perth Show, was the first time Jai had entered the state competition.

He won that, first time out, making him eligible to go on and compete and the national competition.

“I’m still a little bit shocked,” he said.

He said the family generally competes at a lot of the local shows in WA, and he said he hoped to eventually try some judging at those events.

Judge Peter Gilbert said competitions like this were important to the show movement.

“I think it’s great to have all the young ones involved,” he said.

“In New Zealand we went through a stage about 20 years ago when not a lot of young ones were involved (in showing).

“It’s good to have young judges involved and I’d be happy to have any of these young judges at a show.”

He said there were also advantages in conducting these types of competitions for the dairy sector.

“It’s keeping young ones keen to stay in the industry and that is important,” he said.

Runner-up in the competition was Tas entrant Liam Radford, Yolla, while Vic entrant Patrick Anderson, Athlone, came third.