More than 80 youngsters filled the livestock ring at the 44th CRT FarmFest on Tuesday, vying for the young handler and young judge ribbons.
Lawrence Sehmish-Lahey, Goondiwindi, claimed the young handlers title for a second year in a row, with Wilsonton High student Katelyn Osbourne being awarded the reserve champion ribbon after a stellar effort in the 12- to 18-years class.
Mr Sehmish-Lahey led Amavale Platinum P7, a 14-month-old bull from Amavale Shorthorns, Barambah, and said he was thrilled with the result considering the hard task the judge had with the junior class.
"I was lucky to get up on such a successful junior entrant," he said.
"She had to win against 80 other people in her class, and I was just lucky to be there to win champion, so praise to her, she did very well."
As an over 18 and under 25 competitor, Mr Sehmish-Lahey said it was fantastic to see such a large group of younger competitors.
"It's a shame that there aren't more classes for the younger kids, so that more of them can win prizes and be encouraged to come back and do it again," he said.
"It's tough for them when there's so many competitors that do so well, so I wish them well and hope that they continue competing."
Competition overjudge Craig Price, Kilcoy, took the first four place-getters from each heat of the junior class, with 16 youngsters going into the final.
"It's the hardest job I've had to do, judging this great group of people," he said.
"It was a very impressive effort, and great to see so many participating."
The young judges title was won by Scots PGC student Zach McKechnie, with Wilsonton High student Eric Cassells taking home the reserve champion ribbon.
Coming from a sheep background and only gaining experience with cattle through school, Mr McKechnie said it was really exciting to win the title.
"It was hard to judge those four different animals together," he said.
"Sheep are a bit easier to judge because you can feel them, unlike the cattle which you've got to observe."
Scots PGC agriculture teacher Peter Collett said students gained experience with judging and showing through units like 'how to produce the perfect led steer' and 'preparing livestock for competition'.
"I'm incredibly proud and it's really great to see when you train the students up and they have that success," he said.
"We still need food and fibre, there's a generation growing up that are disconnected with where that's coming from, so it's really important that we educate our young people."
