Dairy traveller sets sights on Melbourne Royal

For traveller Angus Fraser, taking part in the Melbourne Royal Show’s young dairy cattle judge competition will be a first.

Australia’s young judges will be under the spotlight at this year’s Melbourne Royal Show, while a flourishing sheep breed will make its first appearance.

Victorian judge Angus Fraser, 20, is one of six young national finalists vying for the show’s National Young Dairy Cattle Judge title.

DAIRY: Melbourne Show Preview - Angus Fraser Melbourne Show Preview - Dairy Judging PICTURED: Angus Fraser on a dairy farm at Tongala Picture: Zoe Phillips

“Dairying has always been what I’ve wanted to do and I’ve always aspired to have my own farm,” he said.

“I like the challenge that comes with managing livestock and the different ways it can impact profitability and food production in this country.”

Mr Fraser was born and raised in northern Queensland before he moved to Victoria at 16 to begin working at a dairy farm.

The industry has taken him across the world to the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Belgium.

But despite his globetrotting, it will be his first time at the Melbourne Royal Show.

“Dairy is pretty special that way, it’s a very global industry so there’s lots of opportunity,” he said.

His fellow young judges are Tasmania’s William Dudfield, New South Wales’ Macs Rubain, Queensland’s Patrick English, South Australia’s Bridget Liebelt and Western Australia’s Zoey Morris.

Mr Fraser said he first started judging at a youth camp aged 12, but was “absolutely horrified” at the thought of public speaking.

He said it was a slow ease into judging, and had a confidence boost in 2023.

He placed first in his age group for a young judging competition at the Brisbane Ekka and at the Royal Adelaide Show. This year will be his second year qualifying for Victoria in the national finals.

Meanwhile another Victorian representative, Katamatite’s Sienna Ross, 17, will compete in the National Young Dairy Paraders Competition.

“I have been lucky enough for it to take me Australia-wide and even to the United States working,” she said.

This year’s Melbourne Royal Show will feature several blue ribbon competitions across sheep, woodchopping, fleece, equestrian, alpacas, beef, dairy and more.

Valais Blacknose sheep will be making their first appearance in the Melbourne Royal Sheep Competition, Jack Briscoe will host working dog demonstrations, and the animal nursery will celebrate 60 years.

The show cancelled its poultry competition this year due to the avian influenza outbreak in Victoria.