Noller Family Support Youth

Jeff Noller was well known across the Charolais world and after he passed away in 2019, his family donated the contents of his genetics tank to support the Garrett Youth Scholarship fund.

This scholarship fund was established in 1997 by the late Joe Garrett and his wife Carolynne. Joe at the time was the Executive Vice-President of the American International Charolais Association. They made the initial donation and then Australian breeders added to the fund. Since then scholarship funding for Charolais youth has been provided to many youth to assist in their tertiary education.

Over 25 scholarships have been handed out over the years. Well known cattle breeder and judge, Donna Robson (Knox) won the first scholarship back in 1998.

When Lynn Noller reached out to the Charolais Society to offer the genetics that her late husband Jeff had stored we were touched. In her letter Lynn wrote “ Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to a very worthy cause and something Jeff would have been proud contributing to.” Jeff was a renowned cattle breeder and had achieved considerable success, firstly with the family Gunnadoo herd and then his Noller herd with Lynn and sons Mark and Brendan. Jeff was also the quintessential Aussie bloke that loved a laugh and was always fun to be around. Jeff always seemed to have time for those around him.

With the generous support of Auctionsplus hosting the sale the semen and embryos were auctioned off in late March. Held over two days the sale attracted spirited bidding from across the country. The offering had a great mix of imported semen as well as the best from the Noller breeding program and sires purchased in, such as DSK WE Jammer Rammer (P)(R/F).

It is not everyday you get a chance to access some of the sires in the offering. Semen and embryos were sold on a per straw or embryo basis. Top price in the semen was $395 for four straws of well known French sire, Impair. Full French genetics were keenly sought after with three straws of Full French sire, Palgrove Champagne making $115 per straw. Also making the $100 per straw mark was 10 straws of LT Bluegrass 4017P (P).

In the embryo offering the joining of WCR Sir FA Mac 2244 (P) and interbreed champion Airlie Noisette Q303E topped at $620 per embryo for a package of 5 embryos.

Overall the auction realised just under $22,000 which is an outstanding result. All proceeds from the sale were placed into the investment account to generate interest to fund future scholarships. The Charolais Society extend their sincere appreciation to all successful buyers and under bidders that assisted in generating such a great result. This makes a significant addition to the investment fund and will aid in being able to offer more scholarships in the future. The team at Auctionsplus were outstanding in firstly hosting the sale but their efforts during and after the sale were first class.

Members are welcome to donate to the GYS investment account at any time by contacting the Charolais office. The more the fund grows the more interest it generates and more scholarships can be offered.

Applications for the 2023 Garrett Youth Scholarships are currently out and applicants will be evaluated in August with the successful applicants announced in August.