Jack Smyth competing at a recent cattle show.
The best young beef cattle paraders in Australia have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete in the national finals in September.
The 2025 National Championships is being hosted by the SA Country Shows at the Royal Adelaide Show from 1-6 September 2025. The prestigious competition includes paraders of beef and dairy cattle, young judges of beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, and poultry, the Australian Young Farmers Challenge, and National Rural Ambassador Award.
Representing NSW will be Canowindra’s Jack Smyth, who is a young stock and station agent with MCC Chudleigh Dobell in Forbes, NSW.
“I started competing in the paraders when I was 14 because I had friends doing it and it’s something I love doing. I’ve been in agriculture my whole life with my family but I started by showing cows with my school and then worked for Goondoola Livestock and Kianma Poll Herefords. I’m looking forward to my first visit to Adelaide, catching up with people and having a good day in the ring,” said Jack.
Jack’s employer, Kimberley Chudleigh shared her support for Jack, saying: “Our youngest stock agent for MCC Chudleigh Dobell Jack Smyth has proven his dedication to the agricultural industry once again! Daily Jack demonstrates a knowledge of the livestock industry which continues to grow and show in his Livestock Agent role at MCC.”
“We wish Jack all the best as he represents NSW as a state finalist in the Agricultural Shows Australia Young Beef Paraders competition coming up in September. Well done!” concluded Kimberley.
The National Championships brings together the best of the best in rural talent, community spirit, and industry excellence.
Young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state will gather to compete in the annual competition.
Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions. The prestigious competition highlights the incredible reach and rewards of agricultural shows, from connecting communities to driving growth and celebrating success.
The national championships are held in a different location each year.
Jacqueline (Jac) Wilson-Smith, Chair of Agricultural Shows Australia – the peak body representing 572 agricultural shows that attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1 billion to the national economy – 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,” Jac 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.”