Mikaela Daniel, 21, from Nathalia, winner of the Dairy Cattle Young Judges with runner up Molly Klasen, 17, from Tamworth at the Young Judges and Paraders National Championships held at the Queensland Royal Show.
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Mikaela Daniel is a familiar face in the world of dairy judging.
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The 21-year-old from Nathalia began her time in the show ring at just nine years old, and now she has taken home the national award for dairy cattle young judges.
“It’s definitely not something I expected,” Ms Daniel said.
“I used to be quite scared to get on the microphone so I am quite proud of this achievement.”
Ms Daniel said that she had been feeling “pretty crook” and “was surprised that I could even get up there”.
Despite the unfortunate timing of an illness, Ms Daniel judged and spoke about the conformation of some Jersey heifers and Illawarra intermediate and senior cows.
“They were a nice little grouping,” Ms Daniel said.
In her judging, Ms Daniel said she looked for characteristics that supported good dairy production and health for the animals, paying attention to elements like “a good set of feet and legs”.
“If a cow isn’t made right, she won’t last as long,” Ms Daniel said.
The Young Judges and Paraders National Championships was held at the Queensland Show from August 6 to 10.
Ms Daniel took home the award for young dairy judges, with second place going to 17-year-old Molly Klasen from Tamworth.
Other Victorian winners included Hollianne Hallam, 16, from Wonwondah, who won in the grain young judge category, and Abbie Hanks, 20, from Cobden, who won dairy cattle young parader.
This show was Ms Daniel’s first time competing outside Victoria, and she was nominated to represent the state after her success at International Dairy Week in January.
Ms Daniel said that although the world of dairy judging had seen a bit of a decline, local shows remained a good way for kids to get involved.
Going to shows during her childhood, Ms Daniel never felt pressured and was able to learn in an encouraging environment with support from the adults around her.
Ms Daniel comes from a dairy family and grew up on the family farm in Nathalia with her parents, Phil and Sam Daniel.
Mikaela Daniel at 10 years old, handling a calf at a show.
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Holly Curtis
Mikaela Daniel at the 2019 Winter Fair, which was held at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre.
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sophie baldwin
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