Thomas Williams, 13, has already started to make quite the name for himself in show cattle circles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He shows limousin cattle each year on the NSW agricultural show circuit, and in 2017 was the youngest competitor ever to win Grand Champion in the cattle ring at Nowra Show with his favourite cow ‘Wolfie’.
Thomas is set to impress in the Milton Show cattle ring in March.
“I started when I was 10 years old and it’s really fun, it’s better than talking to humans,” he said honestly.
“I put in a lot of time and effort with these cows, I like to go around and pat them as often as I can.”
This show season he will be showing five to six show cows and heifers of his own as well as two for Nowra livestock carrier and cattle breeder Garry Nelson, these include a limousin steer and a brahman heifer in the led competitions.
Mr Nelson didn’t think twice about asking the enthusiastic cattleman to help him out.
“He’s passionate and he’s the future of agricultural shows in the district,” Mr Nelson said.
Of course, the school holidays have provided Thomas with the perfect opportunity to prepare for the district’s show season on the South Coast.
Each day he heads to Foxground, where their cattle are kept to feed and handle them.
Part of the educating process includes teaching the cattle to lead in an orderly fashion in preparation for the show ring.
South Coast Show Schedule
- Albion Park – January 20-21
- Kiama Show – January 26-27
- Berry Show – February 2-3
- Nowra Show – February 9-10
- Kangaroo Valley Show – February 16-17
- Milton Show – March 2-3
“You put the headstall on them and you let them wander around with it or you tie them up and they get used to it,” Thomas said.
“They’re nice and quiet, they’re better than anything.”