Thursday was a big one in the career of local lad Jack Taylor - he was the NSW representative in a nationwide competition to find the best young beef cattle judge in Australia.

Just 17, Jack attended the prestigious national finals hosted by the South Australian Country Shows association at the Royal Adelaide Show.

The competition involves young judges from each state, aged from 15 to 25, gathering to compete in the annual event in a range of categories including beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, and poultry.

The Year 12 student hails from a cattle, sheep and cropping property and cattle stud, Big River Angus, and was inspired in his vocation by his mother Brooke Taylor who runs the school cattle team at Macquarie Anglican Grammar School.

Jack's passion for agriculture continues to grow and, in the next decade, 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,” Jack said. “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.”

The Paddock to Podium competition aims to encourage Australia’s top young beef cattle judges with Jack the NSW representative in the finals.

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

Jacqueline Wilson-Smith, the Chair of Agricultural Shows Australia – the peak body representing 572 agricultural shows nationwide – 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," Jacqueline 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," she added.

The Beef Cattle Young Judges competition is sponsored by the peak body for grass fed beef in the country, Cattle Australia.

"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.

STORY UPDATE:

Agricultural Shows Australia announced the results on Thursday afternoon.

The Champion was Candina Crowden from Tasmania, and the runner-up was Matilda Sullivan from Victoria.