A new online sheep competition for agricultural students, junior sheep exhibitors and young people associated with studs will be held this year following the cancellation of the Royal Melbourne Show.
It follows discussions by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and its Sheep Committee who investigated alternative competitions to maintain interest and engagement, particularly with ag students and junior exhibitors.
Free to enter, the online competition is open to young sheep enthusiasts of all skill levels to enter - from beginners to the highly experienced with two classes to enter: Junior Judging and Show your Sheep.
The competition is designed to appeal to agricultural students, junior sheep exhibitors and young stud people.
Entrants can gain some valuable experience judging and showing sheep, and having fun and engagement doing so, in lieu of the Royal Melbourne Show not being held for the second consecutive year.
"The Virtual Sheep Competition provides agricultural students, junior sheep exhibitors and youth associated with sheep studs or school studs with an opportunity to submit their entries into one of two classes," RASV chief executive Brad Jenkins said.
To enter the Junior Judging competition, entrants are required to provide a judging summary on a set of three long wool, short wool or clean skin sheep.
To enter the Show your Sheep competition, entrants are required to prepare a mock sales pitch video on a sheep of their choice from their own stud or commercial flock.
"(It) provides an opportunity for young sheep enthusiasts to show off their talent and skills and provide great enjoyment to not only those who participate but to those who view the entries online during these extraordinary times," Mr Jenkins said.
Entry is all online and submissions will be judged across the three age ranges of under 12, 12-15, and 16-19 years.
Judging will be conducted by a panel of expert Melbourne Royal judges, including members of the RASV Sheep Committee and long-term exhibitors.
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The winning submissions for each age range will be featured widely across the Melbourne Royal website and social media accounts throughout October and November.
Entries are now open and close on Friday, September 24.
For more information, visit rasv.com.au/virtual-sheep-competition or email sheep@rasv.com.au.
The winners will be announced on October 4.
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