SA heifer expo creates long-lasting bonds

Almost 20 years ago, Ms Hughes served as "buddy" to Ms Burpee as one of her earliest expos, as well as to her sister Sarah Burpee.

That formed a "lifelong bond" for the two families, with Ms Hughes now working on the Burpee's Drayton Park Red Angus stud.

In a sign of things coming full circle, at this year's expo, which is on now, Ms Burpee is acting as group leader for Ms Hughes' son, eight-year-old Haydn Boxall.

His steer Pringles is even owned by the Burpees.

"But he's still mine," he said.

First-entrant Haydn has been counting down the years until he could head along to the expo, after five years at the Royal Adelaide Show.

"As he got closer to turning eight, he was pushing at the door, keen to get down here and among it," Ms Hughes said.

Ms Burpee said the heifer expo has had a big impact on her life, including influencing her family to buy their farm and inspiring her to become an agriculture teacher, and she said there were many others who found their path into the agriculture industry through the event.

This year's SA JHE has 175 entries, as well as another 24 for the education program.

This includes 38 interstate entries - the highest number from interstate, according to expo coordinator Justine Fogden - with representatives from every state.

She said this was slightly down on last year's record 213 entries, but more in line with their usual numbers.