Over the past week thousands of competitors have lined up at Sydney’s Royal Easter show to exhibit the best of Australian agriculture.
But competition can’t go ahead without the judges and a declining number of them coming through the pipeline from local shows is proving a challenge.
“It’s something we’ve been obviously conscious of,” says Agricultural Shows Australia chair Rob Wilson.
“But we’ve really been promoting the prestige nature of this so more than just the locals know about it.”
One of the competitions at the Royal aiming to attract talent to the fold is the young judges competition.
Dozens of juniors line up across seven categories to pit their skills against one another.
The rivalry can be fierce, especially in the sheep and cattle sections, Dr Wilson says.
“They have to explain why they have chosen first, second and third, so there also has to be that confidence in public speaking.”
Becoming a judge can be quite the journey. Parading animals at local country shows comes first, then there are zone and state finals and eventually nationals, which are staged at a royal show each year.
With COVID cancelling the Royal Easter in 2021, this year will see two simultaneous competitions.
Tasmanian Shara Perkins, 19, is geared up for the challenge. Sydney is her first time as an alpaca judge.
As a relatively new category, the field is small but it doesn’t make it any less nerve wracking.
“Honestly I’m a bit nervous,” she told AAP.
“It’s very daunting, especially coming from a small city. I’ve never been in such a big show.”
Given the opportunity to mix it on the mainland, though, Shara is determined to give it her best and at least come away with valuable experience.
The farmhand is taking on some of the finest junior alpaca judges in Australia.
“I look for good quality fleece and the structure of the animal as well … having a nice tall, straight neck and straight back, making sure it’s not curved or arched over” she explained.
Although having not grown up on a farm, Shara wants to eventually own her own alpaca stud but in the meantime hopes there’s more judging to do.
Dr Wilson says the society is trying to engage schools across Australia to attract judges but relies on encouragement from teachers, parents and carers.
“It also depends alot on the enthusiasm of the committees at local shows because that’s where it starts,” he said.
