Young agricultural enthusiasts from across the region converged at Trangie late last month to attend this year's Trangie Junior Judging Day.

Despite having to adjust to COVID-19 restrictions - introduced only two days before the event on Monday 28 June - organisers were very pleased with the turnout and quality of young competitors.

The annual community event - organised by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) - is designed to provide agricultural enthusiasts, aged between 5 and 24, with the opportunity to learn and test their show judging skills at what can be the first step in a pathway to competing at prestigious state and national levels.

Director of the DPI's Trangie Agricultural Research Centre - where the competition is held - Kath Donoghue said local competition also gives young people the chance to nurture their passion for agriculture, while also highlighting agricultural career and education pathways available through DPI.

“DPI is proud to have been offering up both the facilities and local staff at Trangie for many years now to support this community event, encouraging young people to be involved in agriculture,” Ms Donoghue said.

According to Ms Donoghue, this year's event was held in "perfect" sunny weather and welcomed 80 competitors aged between 5 and 19 and, along with 50 spectators.

The 2021 competitors participated under strict COVID restrictions put in place to ensure the day could still go ahead. Photo courtesy of Kath Donoghue.

"Competitors came from near and far for the event, including Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo and Dubbo, as well as locals from Trangie, Warren, Narromine and Tottenham," she said.

"Competitors were given the opportunity to assess beef cattle, meat sheep, Merino sheep, cotton samples, wool fleeces and grain samples, as well as learn more about these agricultural products."

Winners on the day also came from a spread of different locations. Senior Champion and Overall Champion went to Jade Smith from Lake Cargelligo.

There were joint Reserve Senior Champions - Angela Littler from Mudgee and Dakota Williams from Geurie.

Junior Champion went to Ned Kennedy from Trangie while Ruby Bevan from Narromine and Montana Piercy from Condobolin were joint Reserve Junior Champions.

The Austin Steer Memorial Award was given to Narromine's Tahlersha Hoyle and the Sub-Junior Champion Most Enthusiastic Award was awarded to Amelia Smith from Trangie.

Organisers were very keen to have the event this year after being forced to call it off in 2020 due to COVID-19.

However, though restrictions were introduced in regional NSW due to the ongoing Greater Sydney outbreak, Ms Donoghue said she was thrilled the day could still go ahead with a COVIDSafe plan in place.

"The enthusiasm of those in attendance was not easily dampened, and competitors and spectators alike graciously complied with all regulations in order to ensure the event went ahead," she said.