Tassie's world-beating cattle handler

“Absolutely surreal, something for the memory books!”

That’s how Springfield angus breeder Will Hadley described his win as part of the Australian team at the inaugural Farmfair International B.E.E.F. (Battle of Emerging Elite Farmer) Youth Competition which concluded after five intense days of cattle handling in Edmonton, Canada yesterday.

Australia reigned supreme over the biggest beef breeding countries in the world, and having a Tasmanian in the mix demonstrates the quality of junior handlers and the show circuit locally and nationally.

Will returns to Tasmania tomorrow and will be more than primed for his hometown show at Scottsdale on Friday and Saturday.

His international success will no doubt inspire all the junior cattle handlers, especially those from Scottsdale High which Will attended and fostered his love of showing cattle.

The Australian team was also made up of Chloe Bailey, Eden Kaminski and Olivia Jury with coach Monique McKinnon, and they showed the world how it’s done.

Will, 21, established Heatherfield Angus in Springfield in 2020 and the stud made its impact felt right from the start of the 2025 agricultural show season with Champion and Reserve Champion Junior Angus Females and Champion Interbreed Junior Female and Interbreed Junior Pair at Burnie Show.

He also took out Champion Junior Judge and Reserve Champion Overall Parader.

Wins at Royal Queensland and Royal Sydney Show cemented his place in the Australian team.

Respected north-east commercial beef farms Elizabeth and Sam Hadley are justifiably proud of his achievements as are his fellow junior beef breeders and handlers.