As the years pass by, the quality of cattle at the National Herd Development Winter Fair continues to impress.
This year’s principal judge, Mandy Bue from Wisconsin, said the cows were a credit to their owners and the show a credit to the organisers.
This was the first time Mandy had judged the Winter Fair and she said any one of the champion cows could comfortably compete on the world stage.
‘’All the cows right across every class, from heifers through to senior in-milk, were quality,” she said.
Mandy took a particular shine to three-year-old Supreme Intermediate Champion, Gorgala Unstopabull Tiffany, describing her as an outstanding and tremendous cow with an astonishingly great udder.
Owned by Chad and Kristen Gordon from Tongala, in northern Victoria, the couple was delighted with Tiffany’s win.
Reserve Intermediate Champion was Gorbro Sidekick Perfume, owned by K. and H. Jones, while Honourable Mention was Gorgala Arrow Charcoal.
For Stephen and Leanne Coombes from Tamworth, NSW, their Supreme Senior Champion cow win with Eclipse Alltheway Princess still hasn’t quite sunk in.
This is only the third time Princess has hit the show ring and the first time the family have been to the Winter Fair in a showing capacity.
Stephen said he was looking forward to seeing what the future had in store for Princess.
“Princess is a real pleasure to work with and she is such a great cow,’’ he said.
Reserve Senior Champion was Windy View Chief Justine, owned by Gorbro Holsteins, and Honourable Mention was Elm Banks Sidekick Daphne.
Senior Red Champion was Mosleigh Jacot Sylvia, owned by R. and A. Wilson.
It was another strong junior show, with organiser Clare Modra saying the junior judging had the largest number of participants in the history of the event.
“The handlers were well attended and we had so many heifers in the dry class, we struggled to fit the animals in the ring,” Clare said.
She said it was always great to see so many interested and keen young farmers.
“It gives me faith in the future of the industry when I see so many young kids out there in the ring having fun.”
This year’s Red Junior Champion was Lloyd Star Moovin Princess, owned by Eastview and Lloyd Star Holsteins; Reserve Junior Champion was Impression Analyst Tulip, of Impression Holsteins; and Honourable Mention was Eclipse Moovin Falcon - RED, owned by Richard Hull.
Youth Junior Champion was Brindabella Chief S Nan, owned by Brindabella Holsteins; Reserve Youth Junior Champion was Eastview Chief Bonnie, of Eastview Holsteins; and Honourable Mention was Elm Banks Moovable Rose, owned by Elm Banks and Struan.
The Youth Encouragement Award was given to Abbie Robinson, while the Youth Excellence Award Winner was Angus Fraser.
The DataGene Limited BPI Award Winner was Emu Banks Lambda Carly 13614, shown by Leah Dickson.
It has been seven years since the Winter Fair hosted an auction.
The Elders Winter Opportunity Sale saw 22 lots average $6825. Top-priced lot Brindebella Chief S Nan sold for $16,500 to the Coombes family from Tamworth.
Owner of the top-priced lot, Jade Sieben, was delighted with the sale of Chief S Nan and is looking forward to following her progress.
This year’s 2023 recipient of the Power of Women in Dairying World Dairy Expo Scholarship was Emmalea Wishart from Rowlands Park Holsteins, from Cohuna in northern Victoria.
The 24-year-old, who farms with her parents Rick and Tina and sister April, can’t wait to make her way to the expo later this year.
“This is such an amazing oportuinty and I am very thankful to the committee,” Emmalea said.
The committee said Emmalea was a hard worker right across all facets of the industry and was known for being a positive influence on the next generation.
Holstein and Jersey Australia also announced the team for the 2023 Young Breeders School in Battice, Belgium, which included Kieran Coburn, Horfield, Victoria; Jess Eagles, Moto, NSW; Angus Fraser, Tandarra, Victoria; Rebekah Love, Newry, Victoria; and Kyella McKenna, Warrnambool, Victoria.
The team will represent Australia against the best in the world over five days in August.
The National Herd Development Winter Fair was held in Bendigo, Victoria, from June 27 to 29.