It’s not every day regional ag shows bring world renowned judges to the table but the poultry section at the 2016 Roma Show was up to the task.
International livestock judge Grame Hopf, Murwillumbah, New South Wales, was the hard feather judge in the Roma Show poultry shed and his credentials are impressive.
With a masters degree in animal anatomy from Michigan State University, Mr Hopf said he had judged at 800 Australian shows and 120 overseas.
“I am the only person in the world to judge at five different world congress shows in five different forms of livestock,” Mr Hopf said.
Mr Hopf’s love of livestock judging started at the young age of 14 when he won a junior farmers trip to England to compete in the major world judging titles.
Mr Hopf said he won dairy cattle, beef cattle and poultry judging sections in Europe before returning to Australia only to be scouted by a “generous American fellow” who had a great impact on his life.
“It was completely out of the blue. He knew of me from my success in Europe and his passion became mine- to help out young country people and give them an opportunity if they have the talent,” Mr Hopf said.
Mr Hopf started the first dairy and beef youth camps in Australia in the 1970s and these camps continue to attract large followings today.
As part of encouraging young people to pursue careers in agriculture Mr Hopf has foster cared for 36 troubled youths and specialises in extreme cases such as drug addictions and violence.
He said young people were his “greatest passion” and basing his program around a love of livestock had positive results.
“I coach young judges and run programs in 14 different countries- there are often strong connections between young people and animals,” Mr Hopf said.
“I do have the odd youth I can’t help but I’ve had really good ones come through the system and some will become international livestock judges.”
Mr Hopf’s work is not without its risks and only his commitment to helping young Australians has kept him returning after being hospitalised numerous times following violent attacks.
While not previously involved with Mr Hopf, 15-year-old Ivan Graham, Roma, was a fine example of the benefits of introducing young people to agriculture.
A proud supporter of the poultry section, Mr Graham said he felt a sense of achievement in presenting quality birds and the social nature of shows was a bonus.
“I started showing poultry about four years ago after my neighbour got me interested and it’s definitely something I hope to stick with,” he said.
“There are some great people to learn from and I’m constantly meeting new people and seeing new places when we travel to buy birds and show them.”
Mr Hopf commended the Roma Show Society poultry section for its high quality entries and said competitors had travelled great distances to be involved.
“The top birds would be competitive at any Queensland show and the royal- some of the leading breeders and exhibitors in the state are here,” he said.
Chief steward of the Roma poultry section Tyson Campbell said there were 550 poultry entries including caged birds, pigeons, turkeys, geese and ducks.
“It’s the most we’ve ever had. We’ve just spent about $12,000 on 52 new pens and a snake display and it’s generated a lot of interest,” Mr Campbell said.
“The Maranoa Regional Council gave us a grant for $3500 and the remainder was paid by the show society to be paid back over time by the poultry section.”
With leaders such as Mr Hopf igniting a passion for poultry in younger generations, the Roma Show poultry section looks to be facing many prosperous years.
