Agricultural Shows Australia to celebrate nation’s best young dairy cattle paraders

Agricultural Shows Australia, Media Release, 20 September 2023

Australia’s most promising paraders of dairy cattle 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 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 winner of each competition will also take home a pair of boots from Blundstone Australia.

• Queensland

Zoe O’Neill, 20, from Coorparoo, will be representing Queensland in the dairy cattle young paraders competition. 

“I grew up on acreage but only started cattle showing when I was in school and went into dairy farming from there. I’ve been involved in showing since I was 12 years old and it’s just a fantastic community that brings you all closer together. The people you meet and the connections you make are really special,” she said. 

• Tasmania

William Dudfield, 20, from Somerset will be representing Tasmania in the dairy cattle young paraders.

“I’ve been showing since I was three years old and I’ve been a part of the paraders since I was nine. I really enjoy the competitive side of it and it’s hard to go past coming second at nationals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show last year. I’m from a dairy farm and although I’m in civil construction now, it’s something I’ll always enjoy,” he said. 

• South Australia

Jackie Davies, 24, from Mypolonga will be representing South Australia in the dairy cattle young paraders. 

“I’ve been around cows my whole life, my mum was involved in a dairy farm and I remember going to my first SA Youth Camp when I was six. Mum was the caterer and I got to tag along. My first competition was also at age six at Mt Pleasant Show and I’ve been competing ever since. I’ve always loved competing and it’s provided me with so many opportunities to go interstate and lead for other people. It’s certainly a great way to gain experience, promote yourself, and get noticed in the industry,” she said. 

• New South Wales

Olivia Lambkin, 21, from Broke will be representing New South Wales in the dairy cattle young paraders.

“My family has a dairy and I started in the show ring from about age eight. I really enjoy getting to meet new people and the whole experience. My parents, brothers, boyfriend, good family and friends and aunty and uncle will all be coming along to support me in Tasmania so I’m really looking forward to it,” Olivia said.

• Victoria

Madisyn Kenzie, 18, from Leongatha will be representing Victoria in the dairy cattle young paraders. 

• Western Australia

Jaxon Micallef, 18, from Harvey will be representing Western Australia in the dairy cattle young paraders. 

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 winner of the dairy cattle young paraders will be determined by who has best prepared, presented and paraded their animal before a judge.

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.”