[MEDIA ALERT] Victorian competitor claims national title in Lawson Grains young grain judges contest; New South Wales runner up

Finalists in the Lawson Grains national young grain judges champions travelled from all states to vie for the Australian title, but it was Victorian competitor Caitlin Grieve who placed first, ahead of New South Wales' Heather Walker, and South Australia's Victoria Clarke. 

Farming runs deep in Caitlin's veins - she's a sixth-generation farmer, with both sides of her family working the land since the 1800s. 

"I have just won the national final young judges grain section, and oh my goodness it means such a great deal. I chose to judge wheat and I didn't think I had that much to say but it all just came to me," Caitlin said after receiving the broad sash. 

Caitlin studied agricultural science at Lincoln University in New Zealand on a leadership scholarship, gaining hands-on experience on a sheep and beef station in Hawke's Bay. 

"In ten years time I would still like to be showing the family's stud Dorset Horns with my sister, judging at shows around the country, and working in a field where I can combine my passion for history with my love of agriculture and sharing people's stories."

Her success brings Victoria to a four-competition winning streak, victorious in all of the competitions so far in the championships: poultry, grains, dairy judging and dairy parading. Tomorrow sees young agricultural enthusiasts go head-to-head in beef cattle judging and parading, Merino sheep and fleece judging. 

Open to competitors aged 15-25, the championships showcase the best from each state, with entry earned through success at regional and state agricultural shows. It features competitions in young judges (beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, poultry), paraders (beef and dairy cattle), the Australian Young Farmers Challenge, and the National Rural Ambassador Award.

Held in a different part of Australia each year, Jacqueline (Jac) Wilson-Smith, Chair of Agricultural Shows Australia said the championships showcase agricultural excellence, boost the industry, and shine a light on outstanding achievements.

"These young competitors are the future of agricultural show competitions, which are so important to the growth of Australia's food and fibre industries. The nationals are a fantastic opportunity for them to develop their skills, gain valuable experience, and go head-to-head with the best in the country," Jac said. 

Runner up was awarded to Heather Walker, 24, Grenfell. Heather Walker's love for shows began in primary school, from pavilion displays to performing in the marimba group at her local show's opening. In high school, she joined the school show team, embraced junior judging and Showgirl competitions, and quickly fell in love with the show ring. 

"I'm very excited and very thankful to everyone for their support along the way. I was incredibly lucky to have a great ag teacher at Henry Lawson High School who got me started in grain judging."

Now an active member of her local show committee, Heather regularly competes and volunteers at shows across the Central West, determined to give back to the community and share the joy of showing with others. She credits Carolyn Baker for guiding and shaping her love for the agricultural industry.

"As a passionate young woman in the ag industry, I remember sitting in my agriculture class in Year 12 and deciding that becoming an ag teacher was where I wanted to be. I was heartbroken to hear that the year below me had to complete the subject online because not enough students selected it. That really stuck with me. I didn't want this subject, or the opportunities it offers, to fade away. The passion my ag teacher had, and the incredible experiences we were given, inspired me to keep the subject alive for future students."

Third place was awarded to South Australia's Victoria Clarke, 24, Urrbrae. Victoria is no stranger to the show ring, having previously represented South Australia in the alpaca young judges competition. A graduate of Urrbrae Agricultural High School, Victoria got involved in all aspects of animal husbandry and was especially active in the alpaca club. Now turning her attention to the grain industry, she's excited to apply her judging experience to a new field and continue learning through competition.

The championship judge, whose assessments of the grain the competitors are compared against, was sponsor Lawson Grains' Nick Ennis. Grain judging is the newest addition to the competition schedule at the prestigious national championships. 

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Media contact: Katie Stanley, Executive Officer, Agricultural Shows Australia: execofficer@agshowsaustralia.org.au