[MEDIA ALERT] South Australia takes Vytelle national beef parader title ahead of Tasmania

The finalists in the Agricultural Shows Australia's young beef paraders competition presented cattle before championship judge Jasmine Green of Summit Livestock (Uranquinty and Crookwell NSW), with local competitor Olivia Baker taking the national title. 

At just 18 years old, Olivia Baker has been showing all her life alongside her family at Woonallee Simmentals. For the third-generation grazier, there's been plenty of highlights in the show ring. 

"I started competing at ag shows when I was eight as I loved taking every opportunity to learn and develop my skills. Being already at the show, showing my family's stud cattle, I was able to compete every year," Olivia said. 

"To achieve this today on home turf, the year that the Royal Adelaide Show celebrates 100 years of shows at this site, is a special, special thing."

The year 12 student at Scotch College Adelaide aspires to become a vet.

Charlton Skirving, a livestock agent with Elders, was named national runner up. 

"It was a trek to get here but I'm chuffed with the podium finish," Charlton said. 

"My mentor's advice today was 'be better, stand up straight and smile'." 

"I started [parading cattle] because I loved cows and it meant I got to spend more time with them."

Third place was awarded to Queensland's representative Kaitlyn Barber, 18, Brigooda. 

"I started showing cattle at age 13 with a small school I went to, Proston State School. They have a really good agricultural program which includes lots of show time. I started with them when I was 13 and have never looked back," Kaitlyn said.

"I have been to many shows, including four Ekkas. I have a very strong passion for cattle and I wanted to get into showing cattle."

"Everything I know was because of the two teachers I learnt from. My knowledge doesn't stop there; I am still continuing to learn and grow my skills."

Sponsor of the competition, Vytelle's Andrew Donoghue, explained that the young paraders competition provides 15 to 25-year-olds the opportunity to develop lifelong skills while building their confidence and providing networking opportunities with leaders in the agriculture industry.

"This competition gives young people the unique and important opportunity to work directly with cattle at local shows, implementing their knowledge and initiative in handling and presenting the cattle in front of a judge and an audience," Andrew said. 

"The national finals showcase the best of the best from around Australia, and we're proud to have witnessed their achievements today."

The champion received a cane from sponsor, The Cattle Shop. Based in Goulburn, NSW the store supplies and stocks cattle grooming gear. Owner Daryl Holder has been involved in the cattle industry for more than 30 years.

"As a business who deals with these young people I want to give back in some way to them. All these young people give up so much to be part of an industry that Australia needs," Daryl said.

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