Agricultural Shows Australia announces finalists in National Merino Sheep Young Judges Championship

Agricultural Shows Australia, Media Release, 18 September 2023

Australia’s most promising judges of Merino sheep have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals of the prestigious annual competition to be judged next month.

The competition brings together the best young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state to compete at the national finals. Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions. One young Merino judge from South Australia, Cody Jones, will be competing in an unprecedented four events; meat sheep breeds, Merino fleece, Merino sheep, and poultry.

The national championships are held in a different location each year. This year, the event is being hosted by Tasmanian Ag Shows and held at the Launceston Royal Show. The Merino Sheep Young Judges competition is sponsored by Australian Wool Innovation. The winner of each competition will also take home a pair of boots from Blundstone Australia. 

• Queensland

James Hillier, 31, from St George will be representing Queensland in the Merino sheep young judges competition. 

“I got into judging only about two years ago through my fiancée’s family who own a stud and I love it. Winning the Queensland title at Cunnamulla, her family’s hometown, was a real highlight for me. I’m excited to represent Queensland next month and see if I can get over my fear of public speaking,” James said. 

• South Australia

Cody Jones, 19, from Leighton will be representing South Australia in the Merino sheep young judges competition. Cody is the first person to compete at the national level in four competitions. A woolbroker at Quality Wool, he is looking forward to ticking off a personal bucket list goal. 

“It’s definitely been on the bucket list to, not only go to Launceston, but to compete at the nationals. The goal is to try and do my best to represent South Australia to the best of my abilities in all four events,” Cody said. 

• Tasmania

Sym Hood, 20, from Longford will be representing Tasmania in the Merino sheep young judges competition. 

“My parents got me two sheep when I was seven and I’ve been sheep crazy ever since. I’ve always had pointers from my father and also everywhere I’ve worked, and I guess it’s one of those things if you’re passionate about something you always seem to get good at it. I’m looking forward to bringing home the win for Tasmania,” Sym said. 

• New South Wales

Lindsay Brown, 22, from Armidale will be representing New South Wales in the Merino sheep young judges competition. 

“I’ve been involved in junior judging since high school and building towards winning at Sydney for a few years so that was amazing, but the biggest thing I’ve gained is public speaking skills and the confidence to help me refine where I want to go in the sheep and wool space. Being given the opportunity to compete at this elite level in another state is an honour. The result will take care of itself but I’m just grateful to be a part of it and learn so much along the way,” he said.

• Victoria

Zoe Wilson, 20, from Ouyen will be representing Victoria in the Merino sheep young judges competition. 

• Western Australia

Tamara Keens, 18, from Wembley will be representing Western Australia in the Merino sheep young judges competition. 

The competitions

Overall there are nine categories for judging and parading each year under the Agricultural Shows Australia national competition program: beef cattle, dairy cattle, alpaca, poultry, Merino sheep, meat breed sheep and Merino fleece judging, as well as parading competitions in beef and dairy cattle.

The main goal of the Merino sheep young judges competition is for competitors to explain why they have placed the animals in the order chosen by comparing the animals in pairs.

Dr. Rob Wilson is chairman of Agricultural Shows Australia, the peak body overseeing 572 agricultural shows in Australia which attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1billion to the national economy, and says the competition is designed to recognise the best new talent in livestock judging nationwide.

“It’s an extremely prestigious event and positions at the nationals are keenly contested,” Dr. Wilson explains.

“These young people are the future of agricultural show competitions which are crucial to the continual improvement of Australia’s food and fibre. The national competition is a coveted opportunity to grow personally and professionally by practising skills against the cream of the crop.”

The National Merino Sheep Young Judges Championship will be held at 11am on Thursday, October 12. Find more about the competition here. Agricultural Shows Australia will issue a press release to announce the results as soon as they are announced. Media are welcome to attend the national finals.