One of Boyanup’s own is set to represent the State’s agricultural industry at this year’s National Young Judges and Paraders Championships next month.

Twenty-one-year-old Fletcher Wetherell from Boyanup is one of eight finalists representing WA, and will be competing in the beef cattle paraders category.

Mr Wetherell said being selected to take part in the national competition felt “pretty good” as he had worked hard at parading and showing cattle all his life.

The competition, hosted by Agricultural Shows Australia at the Royal Queensland Show, will run from August 6-10.

The championships include 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.

Qualification was via success in competitive regional and State competitions.

Mr Wetherell said making the national championship was an achievement he largely attributed to his support and efforts from his family.

“My success was very family-driven,” he said.

“My family is so competitive and want to succeed, so it sort of rubbed off on me and it’s through my family that I’ve sort of gotten these opportunities.”

Growing up on a family farm, Mr Wetherell said he naturally fell into parading and showing cattle which was a good way to gain experience with breeding animals.

Mr Wetherell entered the ring parading a calf for the first time at three years old, competing in his first State final when he was about 14.

Mr Wetherell said he enjoyed parading because he loved showing and winning with his cattle.

“The aim of the game is getting the animal to present as best as possible,” he said.

“So that’s sort of my drive really is try to make the animal look as best as possible while it’s getting judged.”

Also taking part in the national competition from the South West will be 16-year-old Max Lawrence from Yarloop, who will be competing in the grains young judges category.