2026 Melbourne Royal Beef Cattle Competition Judges

BioWorma Youth Feature Judge - Kirk Stierwalt

One of North America's most respected cattle judges, exhibitors and livestock educators. Together with his family, he operates Stierwalt Cattle and Clinics, a renowned enterprise established in 1987 that has exhibited and sold numerous champions across the United States and Canada. Their 300-head cow herd focuses on producing elite club calf steers and breeding heifers across a range of breeds. Kirk has judged many of the most prestigious State Fair and National cattle shows throughout North America and is widely recognised for his contribution to the beef industry. For 39 years, he has conducted cattle clinics across the United States and internationally, inspiring generations of young cattlemen and women. Kirk and his family reside in Leedey, Oklahoma.

Peter Collins

Co-principal of Merridale Angus Stud, a leading Victorian Angus operation he runs alongside his son Brodie. Based in the rural community of Tennyson, Peter and his family manage a herd of approximately 200 Angus cows, with Merridale's annual on-property sale offering around 45 bulls and 20 elite females each year. A passionate advocate for the Angus breed, Peter has been actively involved in exhibiting, judging and youth development throughout the cattle industry. His extensive judging résumé includes appointments at Sydney Royal, Canberra Royal, Brisbane Royal, Launceston Royal, Beef 2024, Toowoomba Royal and numerous regional events. A long-time exhibitor and judge at Melbourne Royal, Peter is committed to encouraging the next generation of cattle breeders and industry leaders.

Annika Whale 

Passionate Angus breeder and educator from Cowra, New South Wales. Alongside her family, she operates Rightime Farms, a registered Angus stud focused on breeding practical, predictable cattle with strong maternal performance, structural soundness and excellent temperament. Annika has been actively involved in the beef industry through showing, judging and livestock competitions from a young age. Her judging experience includes the Adelaide Royal Show, Tasmania, the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza and numerous agricultural shows. Professionally, Annika is an Agriculture and Primary Industries teacher dedicated to developing the next generation of livestock producers.

Damon Englund

A cattle breeder and artificial breeding specialist from Tasmania's North West Coast. A former winner of the National Junior Judging Final at Melbourne Royal, he has judged cattle and junior handlers extensively across Tasmania and interstate. Damon and his fiancée operate Deep Creek Cattle Services, providing artificial breeding and reproductive management to beef producers throughout Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands. He also manages a farming enterprise and is a partner in an Angus seedstock operation in Victoria.

Brodie Collins

Manages his family’s farming enterprises in northern Victoria, including Merridale Angus Stud and a 270-cow dairy operation. Across both businesses, he oversees the calving of 450 to 500 calves annually, with three calving periods each year. With a strong focus on fertility, productivity and performance, Brodie values functional cattle that thrive under commercial conditions. Alongside the livestock enterprises, the family operates a dual-cropping business producing irrigated winter cereals and summer maize silage. Brodie is actively involved in the Rochester Show beef cattle section, helping manage more than 100 entries each year. His experience across both seedstock and commercial production provides a practical and well-rounded perspective when assessing cattle.

Sam Parish

With a long history in the Australian seedstock industry, beginning with Inverary Poll Herefords and Benchmark Studs. His passion for cattle and the show ring developed at a young age and has led to judging appointments at many of Australia's premier livestock events, including Sydney Royal, Canberra Royal, Melbourne Royal, Beef24 and numerous state and regional shows.

Professionally, Sam has built a diverse career across the beef industry, spanning livestock agency, agricultural policy, marketing, international cattle consulting and bovine reproductive technologies. In his role with Wise Repro, he works extensively in reproductive and genetic technologies, assisting producers across Australia and internationally with breeding strategies, genetic selection and herd improvement programs. His practical experience and industry knowledge make him a respected contributor to the Australian beef sector.

Trent Storm and Lacey Kelleher

Owners of Barr Creek Angus and Simmentals in northern Victoria, where they run a seedstock and show team operation alongside their two children. Trent's passion for the cattle industry began in high school, showing his family's Red Poll cattle, and has since developed into a diverse career spanning butchery, artificial breeding and livestock agency. A talented cattle fitter and keen showman, Trent has successfully exhibited and prepared cattle across Australia and has judged at numerous agricultural shows throughout Victoria and Tasmania. Together, Trent and Lacey are passionate advocates for the beef industry and enjoy breeding, exhibiting and promoting quality cattle. They have a strong connection to Melbourne Royal through both exhibiting and judging over many years.

Olivia Baker

A passionate young cattlewoman from South Australia who has developed extensive judging experience across multiple beef cattle breeds through agricultural shows and youth development programs. Olivia was awarded Intermediate Champion Junior Judge at the South Australian Junior Heifer Expo in both 2023 and 2024 and was named Grand Champion Junior Judge at the 2025 Angus Youth Roundup. Her judging experience includes appointments at the Tyrendarra and Port Elliot Shows, where she assessed cattle across a range of breeds. In 2026, Olivia was selected as an associate judge at the Angus Youth Roundup, assisting with the assessment of more than 240 head of cattle. She is passionate about livestock evaluation, industry involvement and developing her judging skills.

Alicia Trovatello

Works alongside her family at Glendan Park, a seedstock enterprise based in Kyneton, Victoria, breeding Hereford cattle since 1989 and more recently expanding into Angus genetics. A passionate advocate for the beef industry, Alicia has been actively involved in youth development programs through Stud Beef Victoria and Herefords Australia Youth, serving as President of Herefords Australia Youth for two years. She was awarded the 2021 Hereford Australia C.M. Hocking Scholarship and was selected in Angus Australia's 2025 GenAngus cohort. Holding a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Melbourne, Alicia combines practical seedstock experience with supply chain knowledge gained through the processing sector. A successful exhibitor and experienced judge, Alicia is proud to return to Melbourne Royal in 2026.

The principal of Ganado Greys, a Victorian Murray Grey seedstock operation focused on breeding functional, commercially relevant cattle with structural correctness, breed character, quiet temperaments and strong maternal performance. A regular exhibitor at Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra Royal Shows, along with National Murray Grey events, Courtney has achieved success in the show ring while maintaining a strong focus on cattle that perform in commercial production systems. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society, contributing to breed promotion and industry development. Through Ganado Greys, Courtney markets genetics both domestically and internationally and supplies beef direct to consumers. She is passionate about sound, productive cattle that combine visual appeal with genuine commercial purpose.