Pasture Competition

The Pasture Competition celebrates the quality, management, and productivity of local pastures across the district. Open to landholders and producers, this competition highlights the skill and dedication that goes into maintaining healthy, well-managed pasture systems.

CLASSES:
1. First year pasture
2. Fodder production
3. Dairy production
4. Beef production
5. Horse pasture

Plus, Champion Pasture (Ken Sharpe Award) & Encouragement Award (Snow Donovan Award)

ENTRY FEE: $20
ENTRY FORM: robertsonshow.org.au
ENTRIES CLOSE: 2 October
JUDGING: 12 & 13 October
PRIZES: Over $10,000 in total value
PRESENTATION: Robertson Show Gala Event, Saturday 7 November

A Brief History of the Robertson Show Pasture Competition

The Robertson Show Pasture Competition is a unique and long-standing feature of the
Robertson Show, and is one of very few paddock pasture competitions in Australia conducted
by an agricultural show.

The competition was re-established at Robertson in October 1993, having previously been
conducted in the district during the mid-1960s. It provides an opportunity for local farmers to
showcase the quality and productivity of their pastures, with judging conducted on farm,
where an experienced judge assesses the pasture in the paddock.

Over the years, the competition has included a wonderfully diverse range of classes reflecting
the farming practices of the district. Classes have included pasture suitable for beef and dairy
production, fodder conservation, new pasture, pasture grown by an apprentice, established
pasture over 10 years and legume-based pasture. And, with a nod to the lighter side of
agricultural competition, previous classes have even included “Best Dressed” and “Battler”!
In recognising the changing nature of local farming, a new class for horse pasture has been
added to represent the equine influence now consistent across the district.

Held each year in spring, traditionally in October, the competition provides a valuable
opportunity to assess the quality of pasture being produced across the district at one of its
most important growing times.

Two significant awards have been added to the competition over the years. The Ken Sharpe
Champion Pasture honours Ken Sharpe, a former Robertson Show President who was
instrumental in establishing the competition, as well as being a past winner himself. The
Snow Donovan Encouragement Award recognises the late Snow Donovan, a long-time
Robertson Show stalwart and multiple winner of the pasture competition, acknowledging his
contribution and encouragement of other farmers over many years.

The competition remains strongly supported and highly competitive, with local farmers
taking great pride in achieving top honours. The honour board reads like a roll call of many
of the district's respected farming families, including McEvilly, Schofield, Good, Hayes,
Menzies, Vaughan, Mauger and Sherborne.

The longevity and consistency of the competition is also a testament to the agricultural
character of the Robertson district. With the competition able to be held consistently over
more than three decades, it reflects the area's reliable high rainfall and capacity to produce
quality, consistent pasture and feed. There have, of course, been a few challenging years —
notably 1994 and 2002, when dry conditions affected pasture growth.

Beyond the judging and competition, the event has provided a valuable opportunity for local
farmers to learn from each other and from the visiting judge, sharing knowledge about
pasture establishment, management and production. It has also become an important social
gathering, bringing farmers together to celebrate local agriculture, compare notes and enjoy
the camaraderie that comes with a little friendly competition.

The Robertson Show Society is extremely grateful to the committed stewards and volunteers
who have organised and maintained this competition over the years, ensuring that this
unusual and valuable agricultural tradition has continued. We also acknowledge the generous
sponsors who have supported the competition and our local farmers, helping to make these
awards possible.

More than simply a competition, the Robertson Show Pasture Competition celebrates the
skill, knowledge, hard work and good humour of local farmers, while recognising the
exceptional growing conditions that make the Robertson district such an important
agricultural area. It remains a proud part of the Robertson Show's agricultural heritage — and
a tradition that continues to bring the farming community together each spring.