National success for Tasmania's young cattle and sheep handlers and judges

• Candina Crowden, 21, of Burnie has won the Cattle Australia young beef judges national title ahead of Matilda Sullivan, 16, of Victoria.

Tasmanian Candina Crowden has placed number one ahead of a strong field of young beef cattle judges at today’s national finals, sponsored by Cattle Australia, at Royal Adelaide Show.

Championship judge Ben Davies of Wild Bear Herefords said that the depth of quality across the competition was exceptional. 

“A great group of young people, showing passion and ability to explain cattle. If this is the future of the industry it is in great hands,” Ben said. 

Candina began competing in junior judging in 2018 with her school team and has loved it ever since.

Now a school teacher at Yolla District School, Candina has had many show ring successes including taking out Grand Champion Herdsman at the Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo with her foundation female, Quarterway Pythia.

"I was introduced to agriculture during high school through my school farm. I studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and now work at the school farm while operating a small Angus stud," Candina said.

“I wasn’t expecting to win, I just tried my best and wanted to make my state proud.”

Read more about Candina  here.

Runner up was awarded to Victoria’s Matilda Sullivan who hails from a farming family producing Hereford and Murray Grey cattle, 1500 free-range Isa Brown hens, and an olive tree harvest. 

YOUNG BEEF PARADERS

Agricultural Shows Australia also named Tasmanian Charlton Skirving, 18, of Sheffield as runner-up in the young beef cattle paraders Championship at the show.

A livestock agent with Elders, Charlton was named national runner up behind Olivia Baker, 18, of Furner, South Australia. 

“It was a trek to get here but I’m chuffed with the podium finish,” Charlton said. 

“My mentor’s advice today was ‘be better, stand up straight and smile’.” 

"I started [parading cattle] because I loved cows and it meant I got to spend more time with them."

The cattle were presented before championship judge Jasmine Green of Summit Livestock (Uranquinty and Crookwell NSW).

YOUNG JUDGES MERINO SHEEP

And in more show success Tasmania's Jock Johnstone has been named runner-up in the Young Judges Merino Sheep championships.

First place went to Victorian Tiffany Maestrale and second runner up was Emi Hughes of SA.