Twelve-year-old Ella Phillips is 2025’s Champion Herdsperson, trouncing the field including much older competitors in accumulating the most points in stud judging, prime beef judging and parading.
Her prize included a heifer named Sprinkles, coincidentally donated by her uncle and aunt, Daniel and Kasey Phillips of Murgona Cattle Co, Taroom.
“My uncle started his stud when he was 12, and I have thought for the last few years that I would like a stud of my own,” Ella said.
Ella lives on a commercial Angus property southeast of Taroom with her parents Cameron and Heidi, and siblings Digby, 7, and Ayla, 10, who also attended the camp.
Murgona Sprinkles is an 11-month-old heifer out of Murgona Lace, a daughter of Diamond H Penthouse, and Yarrawonga Quake, purchased in 2021 for $55,000.
Daniel and Kasey Phillips are the breeders of Murgona Queen Bee 053, the female interbreed champion at Beef 24.
Boonah High School’s Izzabella Lower, 17, won the Sir James Walker Champion Stud Beef Judging Competition and perpetual trophy in a final in which each age group champion assessed four bulls.
The young judges championship is named after Sir James Walker, a longtime advocate for the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Longreach Shire councillor from 1961 to 1982, and Santa Gertrudis stud breeder, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 91.
In the last two years, Izzabella, from a 150-hectare cattle property at Croftby, co-founded the cattle club at Boonah State High School and placed fourth in the young judges competition at Beef 2024.
She said a local producer had given her a bull to support her and help her build her herd after the win.
“It’s all just about learning what other people look for,” she said.
“Being off a property, I look for an animal with the right reproductive traits and structural soundness.”
Santa Gertrudis Breeders’ (Australia) Association president Liz Allen said this year’s event continued a long tradition of developing the next generation of cattlemen and women.
“We’re especially proud of how our young adults plan and run this camp for the benefit of young people aged seven to 17,” Liz said.
“They are supported by a huge army of volunteers and staff to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that’s also big on fun and families enjoying time together.”
This edited article written by Zac Braxton-Smith, originally published in Queensland Country Life, which sponsored the 2025 Santa Gertrudis National Youth Camp.
AGE CHAMPIONS
STUD BEEF FINALISTS
