FOR the first time at the Royal Adelaide Show, this year the Grains and Fodder committee will introduce a grain and hay sample competition for children, to help provide those who are not directly involved in a family farm or an agricultural school, a chance to get involved.
The competitions are for school aged children that would like to enter grain or hay and it is aimed at involving youth more in competitions.
Its versatile approach, according to committee deputy chair Peter Smith, means entrants do not have be from a farm and can enter samples from parents, relatives or even friends on farms.
"We have had a schools hay competition for many years but it was a bit limited to who could get involved.
"The introduction of these new competitions will open it up, particularly to city-based children who might just have a family friend that farms."
This competition is open to young people who are enrolled in either primary or secondary school and they do not have to grow the crop but rather collect and enter a sample from a known farmer, parents, grandparents, uncles or aunties.
"So far we have had very positive feedback from schools we have chatted to about letting their students know," Mr Smith said.
The new competitions are junior baled hay, or legume and cereal hay, or junior grains, that can be wheat, barley or a pulse.
"We wanted a range of sections to help attract as many samples as possible," Mr Smith said.
Tarlee graingrower Mark Hill will help his city-based grandsons enter the competitions.
"The children are really interested in the farm but they do live in the city - so this competition is a great way to get them involved.
"They have always been interested in cropping, especially at harvest, so their knowledge of how hay and grain is produced and what a quality sample looks like, will increase."
Entry to the competition is $10 and samples must be entered by Friday, June 4.
Visit www.theshow.com.au or email entries@adelaideshowground.com.au to receive an entry from.
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Vanessa Binks
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
