The Merino Sheep Young Judges are (L – R) Destynee Harvet, Michelle Fairall, Nathan Francias from Parkes and Greg Sawyer.
Two Parkes students have qualified for the state finals for young judges to be held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in April.
Nathan Francias and Thomas Barker will join other young judges from across the Central West after they qualified at the group finals at the Eugowra Show recently.Nathan qualified in three categories winning the merino sheep category, second place in the merino fleece and third in the grain, while Thomas was third in the meat breeds sheep category.
This year the group finals were fortunate enough to have high quality competition judges in Steve Eagles from Paschendaele Ayrshires and Holsteins, Dennis Moxey from Denngal Santa Gertrudis, Greg Sawyer of Elders Molong, Steve Chester of Quality Wool, Brendan Mansbridge of KMWL and Brooklyn Park Poll Dorset Stud, Lydia Herbert – previous state young judges winner and Stuart Muller of Western District Exhibit.
While the quality of competitors was high, the competitions also allow the development of the next generation of agricultural show enthusiasts and expertise in industry through education and networking.
The Meat Breeds Sheep Young Judges are (L – R) Thomas Barker from Parkes, Jack Whitty, Michelle Fairall and Brendan Mansbridge.