ADAM Bennett’s passion for the sheep industry has shone strongly in the National Merino Sheep Judging competition.
The Victorian won the Australian Agricultural Shows event at Adelaide ahead of six other finalists, with representatives from five other states, as well as New Zealand.
A shearer by day, Adam also runs the Benmann Merino stud with his parents at Everton, Vic, which they registered in 2008.
This was his second attempt at the national title, having won the Vic state championship, held at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo, Vic, in 2016, and going on to compete at the national final in Melbourne.
He won the state title again in 2017, and this time went all the way to the top of the national competition.
This year Adam, 18, was an associate judge for Merinos at the ASWS, and said he would like to judge at more events in the future and get the opportunity to assess more good sheep.
Adam said, when judging he goes to look at the Merino’s wool first, before assessing the other traits to see if they would be productive and profitable in the environment that his stud endures.
“I just have a pure love and passion for sheep, it was bred into me from a little tacker and I’ll never change,” he said.
I just have a pure love and passion for sheep, it was bred into me from a little tacker and I’ll never change.
- ADAM BENNETT
Overjudge John Daniel was impressed with the way the finalists handled themselves, their methodology and presentation.
“It showed why they are here,” he said.
“Adam went about it as you would expect a royal judge to.”
Mr Daniel said it was an important competition to nurture young people in the industry and expose them to a big stage.
“It also teaches them to have authority in what they do, as judging is so subjective you need to be firm.”
South Australian Klay Smith, Glenville Merinos, Cowell was awarded second place, having won his state national final at Adelaide last year.
Klay said he was very passionate about the industry, and having his own family stud meant judging was a good opportunity to look at other sheep.
“Generally it is the best sheep that are shown so I am able to find ways to improve our own stud by looking at top quality rams and ewes,” he said.
Klay judged at the Crystal Brook show this year, and last year was a judge at Cummins show and an associate judge at the Adelaide Show.
When it comes to judging sheep, Klay said he knew what he liked when he saw it.
He said he would always find his first instinct was the right one, and he tried not to get influenced by others opinions.
He said he would like to take on more judging, as it was a good opportunity to have a look around and catch up with other stud breeders.
“It also gives you the opportunity to find out what’s breeding through the industry, as sometimes faults become trends and it is good to be aware of them.”
In third place was Kaden Johnstone from WA.
