It comes as no surprise to mum Alison, who said Justin would happily run an auction on anything, anywhere.

“We could be driving along the road and he’d be in the back seat auctioning off the cattle in the paddocks,” she said.

This is Justin’s second year as a boarder at Scots PGC College in Warwick, where the year 11 student is a keen ag student. He made his second foray to this year’s Ekka as part of the school’s ag team, which enjoyed great success. Scots PGC Luna L1,  bred at the college, took out first place in the 16-18 months Angus bull class.   

At the September 23 Ascot sale Justin will be responsible for securing the best prices for two charity steers and for Luna L1.

“I am very grateful to Ascot Angus and Charolais for giving me this opportunity and I know this is a real privilege to get to auction in front of so many people,” Justin said.

“I usually just practice around the boarding house by pretending to auction anything I happen to see. It’s always been a dream of mine to become a stock and station agent. I work one day a week for McDougal and Sons at both the pig and calf sale and sheep sale.”

Justin considers Luna L1 an outstanding bull that could be considered a genuine all-rounder as his offspring will suit a range of markets, and he certainly knows the lingo.

“The bull has 10 EBVs (estimated breeding values) in the top 10 per cent, with 200 day, 400 day and carcass weight in the top five per cent,” Justin said.

“Phenotypically he is a very appealing bull with plenty of thickness, depth of body and structural soundness which has helped him achieve first place in a number of shows this year including the Royal Brisbane.”

Proceeds from the sale of Luna L1 go back to the college’s Cattle Club.

Back home at Pallamallawa just east of Moree, Justin is in the process of establishing his own Charolais stud.

“He just loves it,” Mrs Rohde said.

“He’s very good at cattle judging, and sees a career in it.”