The sun shone on the complete milking herd dispersal sale of 52 years of breeding by Janelle and the late Neville McDonald.
Trading as Sunshine Farm Jersey Stud, the farm at Kyabram has been sold and Janelle has announced her retirement from the dairy industry.
On sale day on February 22, temperatures rose to 40°C, but the airconditioned sale shed ensured comfort for cows and people.
There was strong buyer competition from across the dairy regions of Victoria, NSW and South Australia.
“This was one of the best udder sales I’ve had the privilege of selling,” Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said.
The sale top price of $10,500 was reached when Lot 88, Sunshine Farm Kim 6, VG88, sold to Jett Easterbrook of Tatura.
“This mighty young cow completed 16 generations of EX and VG, bred back through the noted Edi Kims, back to the Heather View Kims of New Zealand,” Mr Leslie said.
“She was one of many wonderful young cows that were sired by Loxleigh David Ivan 6235.”
The second top price of $10,000 was achieved three times through the sale.
First was Lot 4, three-year-old Sunshine Farm Fowler 14, VG88. She was sired from Valentino, and completed 10 generations of EX and VG.
She was purchased by Alan Fisher and his son Oliver, from Jaynaela Jerseys at Byrneside. After recent success in on-farm challenges, they are building up their Jersey herd.
Lot 10 from the Cherry family was two-year-old Valentino Sunshine Farm Cherry 183. She sold for $9000, also to Jaynaela Jerseys.
“Many judges were full of praise for this young cow,” Mr Leslie said.
Next to make $10,000 was Lot 66, Sunshine Farm Finch 11, VG 88, a four-year-old cow sired from Valentino. She is a granddaughter of former Brisbane Royal Supreme Champion, Kenarie Jade Finch, EX.
She was purchased by the Seidel family, Fantasia Pastoral Company, of Mt Gambier in South Australia.
Lot 44, Sunshine Farm Lovely 337, a two-year-old sired by Valentino, was the third young cow to sell at $10,000. She was bought by Phil and Samantha Daniel, of Nathalia.
The same buyer also selected Sunshine Farm Lovely 333, another two-year-old heifer, by Jackiah Mania 9174. They paid $8000 for her.
Volume buyer, Robb Salter and Danny Griffiths, of Barringa Jerseys, Kerang, selected several cows throughout the sale.
They paid $9000 for Sunshine Farm Kim 7, VG88, a three-year-old full sister to the top-priced cow in the sale.
They also purchased Sunshine Farm Lovely 323, by Craze, at $8000 and Sunshine Farm Fowler 11, EX91, by Valentino, at $7000.
The 89 cows averaged $3771. One bull sold, at $2500. Four baby heifer calves sold for an average of $765. One embryo package sold at $800. The sale grossed $342,000.
“Janelle McDonald should be so proud of these cows,” Mr Leslie said.
“They’re beautiful dairy cows, with wonderful udders all day long, and met very, very strong competition.”
A herd of Sunshine Farm heifers will be sold at a future date.