SOMETIMES, it can feel like there's not a lot of good news to be found in the world we live in, but that's certainly not the case this week.
Our pages are full of high achieving South Australians - it's enough to make any parochial Croweater proud.
SA exhibitors were among the broadribbon winners at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, in Bendigo, Vic, late last week.
And there was no bigger smile in the show ring than that of Curlew Valley stud principal Rachel Chirgwin (pictured), Manoora, who claimed the supreme exhibit in the Suffolk judging, edging out 110 entries from across the country.
Related reading: Curlew Valley wins supreme
Having bred Suffolks for 17 years, the result was Ms Chirgwin's first supreme win, and left her "probably the most excited" she had been in her life.
Given all the time and hard work that goes into preparing stud animals for showing, achieving such a stellar result must be a truly satisfying feeling.
It wasn't just SA individuals starring at the ASWS, but families too.
Just making the mammoth journey to Bendigo requires serious dedication from the McArdle family, Taljar stud, Parndana, who stole the show in the Polwarth feature breed judging, claiming grand champion ewe for the second consecutive year.
Add in the broadribbon wins in the Merinos, SAMMs, Dohnes and Australian Whites, SA more than held its own on the national stage.
The other major livestock event in the past week or so has been the SA Junior Heifer Expo. Congratulations to SA duo Dayna Grey and Nichole Kopp, who were named senior champion herdsman and reserve, respectively.
How many children her age across the country could say they have their own livestock enterprise?
While I couldn't make it this year, the heifer expo is one of my favourite events of the year. The enthusiasm for the cattle industry is infectious, and there are so many inspiring stories among the entrants. It's clear to see the future of agriculture is in safe hands.
Take, for example, Myponga's Keira Campagnolo, who has started her own Red Simmental stud at just nine years old.
How many children her age across the country could say they have their own livestock enterprise? Not too many - although she is by no means alone, with plenty of heifer expo entrants already starting their own studs.
It's enough to make me feel positively mediocre!
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