| FEATURE | Stepping Back But Staying Interested. ... Continued from page 37 He describes the shift to a national organisation as a highlight of his time with the organisation. “Moving into Jersey Australia was a great move; the industry acceptance was overwhelming and we’ve progressed and consolidated and pushed for better governance and awareness of issues we hadn’t addressed before,” he said. “Board members have seen the challenges and taken them on. I take great comfort in the progressive attitude of Board members and their willingness to adapt to the challenges that we’ve come across.” Chris says the creation of sub-committees will help the Board to advance and promote the Jersey cow. “We have an efficient cow that is good for the future and can mix in with other breeds and still be extremely efficient in all circumstances.” Jersey Australia commitments have been a big part of his life. “I’ve been able to do it because of family support here on the farm but everyone is a lot older now. For so many years I’ve been going down to Melbourne up to nine times a year for meetings, although COVID changed that over the past year. It has become part of my life in many ways but you have to move on. “There have been times you feel there is great reward but the pendulum swings and covers all spectrums. The people are the beauty of it. It’s an organisation made up of members and you see their reaction whether they agree or disagree with you.” At 65 Chris has no plans to stop farming. “There are things I still want to accomplish in breeding cows,” he said. “We thought by the time we got to 60 we could slow down but the way the industry has gone that didn’t happen. I’m busier than ever but there are a few more years in us yet on the farm.” His Jireh Jerseys stud combines with his father Alec’s Coorievale stud, with about 200 milkers. “I still aim to breed the ultimate cow and a herd that is satisfying in type, production and reproduction. I’m pretty pleased with the way the herd is going.” In the Great Southern Challenge, Chris’s Jireh Ares Sunbeam is the reigning champion and Great Australian four-year-old winner. “Those awards are not easy to come by and it’s a great feeling,” he said. Although stepping back from his formal roles, Chris will continue to follow the fortunes of Jersey Australia and the breed and he will be at this year’s AGM for the handover. “The AGMs around Australia, even though unfortunately we didn’t get to Queensland last year, have allowed me to see that wherever you go there are great cows,” he said. “Sometimes we get quite surprised by what is in the area and you go away uplifted from those experiences. It has been my life’s passion.”
WORDS // RICK BAYNE
Australian Jerseys Have A Lot To Offer A
USTRALIAN Jerseys are attracting widespread interest locally and internationally but the success may be only scratching the surface. Genetics Australia’s export manager Rob Derksen says the Australian Jersey has a strong reputation in many counties, built on the back of international visitors who have visited Jersey herds in Australia or IDW or on the actual performance of milking daughters in many countries. “The Jersey’s ability to adapt to a wide range of management systems and climatic conditions will see its appeal only grow stronger as adoption of genomics in both males and females gains pace,” Rob said. “In my view, we’ve only just scratched the surface. The number of countries where we have yet to export Australian Jersey genetics is significant, and the next five or more years will be both exciting and satisfying to see the growth in Australian Jerseys”. With the release of the April 2021 ABVs, the GA Jersey 2021 team will have widespread appeal overseas and within Australia. The team is stronger than ever and it’s no surprise that the best bulls come from the best herds and the best cow families. All of the bulls in the 2021 Jersey team come from the Top 20 ABV herds. The number one herd Brookbora Jerseys, owned by the Bacon family at Tennyson in Northern Victoria, bred popular Brookbora Valentino ASKN. Interest in North America, Europe, NZ and South Africa as they see images of the milking daughters is extremely strong and he will remain in short supply for 2021 as demand for both conventional and sexed semen grows. Now with 69 milking daughters and a BPI of 285 and 110 for both type and mammary, he is the real deal and a world class sire from one of the finest Jersey herds around. As daughters have an impact in future years in milking herds and at major shows here and overseas, his popularity will only continue to grow. Another Brookbora bull BORUNG (307 BPIg), by Malachi from a daughter of ASKN is growing in popularity with a wellbalanced ABV across the board. Wallacedale Jerseys, owned by the Wallace family of Poowong North, has delivered another new bull to the 2021 lineup. PICKLE Pixstar P x Lemonhead and 381 BPIg is a high-ranking bull that will prove popular. The Australian Jersey Journal – May-June 2021 // 38
