Students judge Candina an inspiration

Yolla District School ag teacher Candina Crowden, 21, from Burnie, will represent Tasmania at the Agricultural Shows Australia Beef Cattle Judging Championship to be held at the Adelaide Show on September 4.

Candina began competing in junior judging in 2018 with her school team at Tasman District School, and has loved it ever since.

She was inspired by school teacher Jackie Brown, who helped her show Cherry Tree Shorthorn from Sorell. 

Now a school teacher herself, after studying a Bachelor of Agriculture Science, Candina's proudest show moment was taking out Grand Champion Herdsman at the Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo, winning her foundation female, Quarterway Pythia, which started her stud, Oslo Angus.

She said she aims to build up stud numbers over time, and she enjoys showing Carrs View Murray Greys for friend Jo Carr, from South Australia, whenever she gets the opportunity. 

Candina, who grew up in Rokeby and had no connection to the land, was bitten by the cattle bug when her family moved to Eaglehawk Neck in 2016.

“My pop was a farm manager, so maybe that’s where it comes from,” she said.

To qualify for the championships, Candina won at both Burnie and Hobart Shows last year and competed in the state finals at Scottsdale Show.

She also represented the state in the National Championships last year, finishing third, but will be aiming for a better spot on the podium this time.

Her success is proving inspirational for her own students, who had plenty of success at Agfest - one achieving Champion Dairy Judge.

“Teaching is my passion, but I hope to buy some land, build up the stud and continue showing on the side,” she said. 

Agricultural Shows Australia chair Jacqueline Wilson-Smith described the National Beef Cattle Judging competition as a celebration of emerging talent in livestock judging across the country.

"This is an incredibly prestigious event, and earning a spot in the nationals is highly sought after," Jac said.

"These young competitors represent the future of agricultural show competitions, which play a vital role in advancing Australia's food and fibre industries. 

“The nationals offer an exciting chance for participants to grow both personally and professionally while testing their skills against the very best."

The competition is sponsored by Cattle Australia, the national peak body for the grass-fed cattle industry.