Hayes said taking out the championship was something she had always dreamed of doing.
“Entering the dairy judging competition was something I always wanted to do when growing up; however, it’s something that takes a lot of confidence,” she said.
“My dad is someone I grew up watching as he travelled to New Zealand and England where he was invited to judge.
“Being around my dad, Tony Hayes, and nan, Gloria Hayes, seeing and listening to their passion for breeding and looking at good cows is something that I have also developed a passion for, and why we show cows as a family today.”
Agricultural Shows Australia staged the national championships of young judges and parades competitions, with entrants from across Australian and New Zealand.
The championships are held at a different location every year, with the Sydney Royal Easter Show hosting the event’s bicentenary. The 2021 finalists were included in this year’s event, as they were unable to compete last year due to COVID-19 cancellations.
There are nine categories in the competition for judging and parading each year under Agricultural Shows Australia: 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.
Agricultural Shows Australia chairman Rob Wilson says the organisation oversees 572 agricultural shows in Australia, which attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1 billion to the national economy.
He 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 said.
“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.”
11°C