Moving to a new venue, and two months earlier than usual, the 26th annual National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show was a roaring success with over 120 competitors still taking part in the event on July 20 to 22.
Committee members said they expected a decrease in numbers from previous years with the big change in date and the drought, but they look forward to regaining some competitors in the future.
Judges Ben Redfern, Kierin Martin and David Parish awarded the $1000 jackpot heifer prize, sponsored by Elders, to The Ranch Tilly, a Poll Hereford heifer exhibited by Isabelle Willis.
It was also the calf champion of the open section judged by Peter Kylstra and associated by Laura Harris.
Marrington Shorthorns won senior and grand champion heifer of the show with 23½-month-old, Marrington Summerton M38, shown by Cooper Taylor.
Junior champion heifer also went to a Shorthorn, Warraberry Freda N135 exhibited by Alexandra Watt, intermediate champion was Hollywood Xanthe Cheyenne, an Angus heifer shown by Jorja Lousick.
Champion bull went to Poll Hereford exhibit, Kianma Ned, led by Katey Coulson; champion steer was WHS Cyclone, a Simmental cross Angus exhibited by Bryn Thomas, Wellington High School, and champion commercial female went to Fairview Nina, a Charolais cross Limousin exhibited by Courtney Knaggs.
Grand champion junior judge, officiated by Nic Job from Royalla Shorthorns, Yeoval was won by sub-intermediate, Caitlin Porter.
The herdsman competition for all-round ability to work with animals, cattle team management and team work was awarded to William Van Gend, Bathurst.
Judged by Kate Schoen, Aarden Angus, Corowa, the senior and grand champion parader titles were claimed by Natalie Grylls who also won best presented animal.
Victorian competitor, Lochie McLauchlan, was nearly unstoppable taking home champion groom and champion auctioneer, along with sub-intermediate division champion in junior judging, herdsperson and paraders.
Scholarships to the Tocal Beef Assessment course in October were awarded to Katey Coulson, Nathan Hanson and Ryan Carpenter.
Kendra Willot and Jim White will head to the 2019 Angus Youth Roundup in Armidale through another scholarship.
The Tasmania Junior Beef Expo exchange was awarded to Joel Maguire. Junior competitor, Paige Hatton, received an award to re-attend the event in 2019.
An auction was held during the NABJHS dinner with about $7000 raised for future events. They also raised and donated over $1100 to Beyond Blue.
