MEDIA RELEASE: Paddock to podium: meet Australia’s top young beef cattle judges

The best young beef cattle judges in Australia have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete in the prestigious national finals this September.

The 2025 National Championships is being hosted by South Australian Country Shows at the Royal Adelaide Show from 1-6 September 2025 and sees young judges from each state, aged from 15 to 25, gather to compete in the annual competition, adjudicating beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, and poultry. 

Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions, and the national championships are held in a different location each year.

Meet the seven finalists in the Beef Cattle Judging final:

WESTERN AUSTRALIA | Libby Morris, 19, Narrikup

Libby works on a family-run farm in the Great Southern region, looking after cattle and sheep. Her parents have been breeding and showing Limousin cattle with their stud Morrisvale Limousins for over 26 years. Libby's a familiar face in the ring - and on the soccer field. She represented WA in Singapore in recent years. 

"Showing has taught me many things, from the responsibility of caring for the welfare of our cattle to taking pride in their presentation. I also enjoy helping the next generation by volunteering at the WA Youth Cattle Camp and giving advice to young handlers at local shows. It's great to give back and see others grow in confidence and passion for the industry."

NORTHERN TERRITORY | Dakota Gough, 22, Katherine

Dakota Gough is an early childhood educator and founder of A is for Agriculture. Through her program, she introduces school students to the world of food, fibre, and farming. Dakota's goal is to see agriculture become a mandatory subject in schools across the NT and Australia. A seasoned competitor in young judging and parading, her achievements include reaching the National Championship level for this competition and as the NT Rural Ambassador. 

"My active involvement in agricultural shows has been a cornerstone of my career. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for agricultural traditions and the importance of community engagement in promoting industry best practices. In the show arena I come out of my shell and people have told me it's amazing how I can describe an animal in such detail and with so much confidence and passion."

TASMANIA | Candina Crowden, 21, Burnie

Candina Crowden began competing in junior judging in 2018 with her school team, and has loved it ever since. Now a school teacher, Candina's proudest show moment is taking out Grand Champion Herdsman at the Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo, winning with her foundation female, Quarterway Pythia.

"I was introduced to agriculture during high school through my school farm. I studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, and now work at a school farm while operating a small Angus stud. My favourite show is Brighton Show in southern Tasmania. It is one of my local shows, and is always a relaxing day catching up with friends and breeders."

VICTORIA | Matilda Sullivan, 16, Barnawatha

Matilda Sullivan hails from a farming family, producing Hereford and Murray Grey cattle, 1500 free-range Isa Brown hens, and an olive tree harvest. She first competed in her local show at age nine with her primary school show team. From there, Matilda took her own Hereford cattle to local shows before progressing to royal shows where she competes individually and for other studs. At just 16, she's still exploring the possibilities for her future, but one thing is clear: agriculture and showing are already shaping her journey.

"In ten years time I hope to have completed my ag science course and either have a job in livestock genetic science or agronomy, and be actively working in the industry. I still aim to run my Hereford and Murray Grey studs and I still want to be showing."

SOUTH AUSTRALIA | Phoebe Eckermann, 25, Naracoorte

Phoebe Eckermann's path to agriculture wasn't conventional, but it's a journey that's shaped her lifestyle and career. Despite not growing up on a farm, she was always drawn to the industry but never thought it was something she could be part of. In fact, she hadn't even touched a cow until age 13 when she attended the SA Junior Heifer Expo. Today, Phoebe works  for neXtgen Agri as a livestock breeding consultant, helping sheep and cattle producers improve their genetics through better data, breeding values, and long-term planning, runs a Limousin herd with her family, and is involved in the SA Junior Heifer Expo - where her agricultural journey began. 

"Whether I'm judging or competing, I love the atmosphere of shows - they've played a huge role in building my skills, confidence, and connections in the industry. On top of that, the show ring has given me the chance to build relationships with fellow breeders and make lifelong friends from all over the world. Those connections and shared experiences are what make it truly special."

QUEENSLAND | Alexandra Olive, 19, Comet

Alexandra Olive grew up on her family's mixed beef and cropping enterprise in Central Queensland, where her love for agriculture - especially the red meat industry - was sparked early. Now studying a dual degree in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Science (majoring in Animal Science) at the University of Queensland, she's already running her own small Brahman stud and commercial herd. A seasoned competitor across the Central Queensland show circuit and the Royal Queensland Show ('Ekka'), Alexandra's highlights include winning the Beef Australia Stud Cattle Young Judges Competition last year and the Queensland title.

"This competition means so much to me because I have always aspired to compete in such a showcase of passion and dedication like some of my role models. I simply love the Industry and subsequently the sport as it allows for likeminded passionate, dedicated and hard-working industry leaders to showcase their knowledge on a high level platform. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent Queensland and I'm thoroughly looking forward to meeting other industry leaders from across Australia within this national competition."

NEW SOUTH WALES | Jack Taylor, 17, Dubbo

Year 12 student Jack Taylor hails from a cattle, sheep and cropping property and cattle stud, 'Big River Angus'. Inspired by his mother, Brooke Taylor - who runs the school cattle team - Jack's passion for agriculture continues to grow. In the next decade, he hopes to be working as a large animal vet while helping the family stud reach new heights. His favourite event is the Sydney Royal Easter Show, known for showcasing some of the best cattle in the country.

"I started competing at Sydney Royal in 2022. I have an interest and enjoyment in working with cattle, and winning the state final for the beef cattle judging has to be my best show moment so far."

Jacqueline Wilson-Smith, Chair of Agricultural Shows Australia - the peak body representing 572 agricultural shows that attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1billion to the national economy - describes the competition as a celebration of emerging talent in livestock judging across the country.

"This is an incredibly prestigious event, and earning a spot in the nationals is highly sought after," Jac said.

"These young competitors represent the future of agricultural show competitions, which play a vital role in advancing Australia's food and fibre industries. The nationals offer an exciting chance for participants to grow both personally and professionally while testing their skills against the very best."

The competition is sponsored by Cattle Australia, the national peak body for the grass-fed cattle industry, championing the interests of all Australian cattle producers with a unified, visible, and influential voice.

"This is one of many junior beef events Cattle Australia supports around the nation as part of our commitment to supporting the future growth of our industry," Chief Executive, Will Evans said.

The Beef Cattle Young Judges will be held at 11am on Thursday, September 4. More on the competition here.

For more information, please contact Katie Stanley, Executive Officer, Agricultural Shows Australia: execofficer@agshowsaustralia.org.au | 0402 127 001. 

Media are invited to attend the National Championships finals to capture the action and excitement.