Young judges from all over our show region put their skills to the test this month at the Koorawatha Show.
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The Group 10 finals drew competitors from Parkes, Forbes, Harden, Grenfell and Lake Cargelligo to give their opinion across meat sheep, merinos, beef cattle, fruit and vegetables and grains.
That's a pretty diverse set of produce and livestock, but the competition doesn't only look at the judge's ability to discern excellent produce - it also builds public speaking skills.
Coordinator Heather Earney said the quality of the competition at Koorawatha on March 1 was very impressive.
Young judging is open to people aged 15 to 25, and Heather says interest is increasing with more promotion through local schools.
"We had 17 competitors, that's up from last year," she said.
The winners would usually go on to the state finals at the Sydney Royal Show to test their skills there, but on March 13 the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW announced the show has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nathan Francis from Parkes placed second in the fleece judging.
Grenfell's Stephanie Davies won at the Royal Easter Show last year and went on to national competition in Perth.
There the Henry Lawson High School also claimed first place in the Merino Fleece Judging competition.
Stephanie returned to this year's competition, taking first place at Koorawatha in the beef cattle judging competition, but wasn't eligible to compete in Merino fleece judging again.
Group winners were:
Fruit and Vegetables - 1st - Mitchell Rubie from Bedgerabong; 2nd - Casey Walker from Grenfell; 3rd - Olivia Twyford from Cowra. Overjudge: Mr Dave Herbert.
Grain - 1st - Mitchell Rubie from Bedgerabong; 2nd - Tara Schaefer from Grenfell; 3rd - Michelle Fairall from Harden. Overjudge: Miss Lydia Herbert.
Beef Cattle - 1st - Stephanie Davies from Grenfell; 2nd - Tara Schaefer from Grenfell; 3rd - Jade Smith from Lake Cargelligo. Overjudge: Mr Graham Hall.
Merino Sheep - 1st - Campbell Rubie from Bedgerabong; 2nd - Mitchell Rubie from Bedgerabong; 3rd - Jack Whitty from Forbes. Overjudge: Mr Richard Chalker.
Meat Sheep - 1st - Mitchell Rubie from Bedgerabong; 2nd - Michelle Fairall from Harden; 3rd - Tara Schaefer from Grenfell. Overjudge: Mr Brendan Mansbridge.
Fleece - 1st - Mitchell Rubie from Bedgerabong; 2nd - Nathan Francis from Parkes; 3rd - Tara Schaefer from Grenfell. Overjudge: Mr Steve Chester.
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