Young Victorian cattle judge one of the nation’s best
Following in the footsteps of his dad, Luke Gardiner is set to fly the Victorian flag at the Royal Adelaide Show. Here’s his story.
When it comes to cattle judging, genetics is all-important for bovines but Luke Gardiner says it’s handy for humans too.
The 20-year-old university student is following in the footsteps of his cattle judge dad John, and is now set to fly the flag for Victoria on the national stage.
Luke has been named one of best young cattle judges in the country by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete against his high-level contemporaries at the Royal Adelaide Show early September.
The Nar Nar Goon-based student has already enjoyed success this year at the 2025 International Dairy Week, where he part-owned the Supreme Intermediate and Grand Champion in the Holstein Show, View Fort Lambda Butter.
“Growing up, Dad was judging at shows big and small. But I also have an interest in what’s going on overseas,” Luke said.
“For years now, I’ve watched cattle shows from North America via livestreaming – I really admire the work they put in, the high-level of professionalism.
“I went to the World Dairy Expo in Madison (Wisconsin) for the first time at the latest expo and it was amazing. Cattle judging can take you around the world.”
In his first year studying agriculture at the University of Melbourne, Luke took a gap year between secondary and tertiary studies and undertook some part time work in the cattle genetics field.
“Once I graduate from uni, it’s definitely an area I want to work in,” Luke said.
“An ag degree opens up a lot of doors — I’d like to work in breeding consultancy, or something connected to it.”
