Australia Has A New Top Jersey Herd

WORDS // RICK BAYNE

AUSTRALIA has a new top Jersey herd after Brookbora Jerseys reached the number one spot in the April 2021 ABV release.

It is the first time Brookbora Jerseys, owned by Robert and Sandra Bacon at Tennyson in northern Victoria, has claimed Australia’s number one title.

Brookbora rose to the top with a BPI of 191, up 23 from the December 2020 proof where they were in third place.

After several years in the top spot, Con and Michelle Glennen’s White Star Jerseys at Noorat in south-west Victoria slipped to number two herd, despite increasing their BPI by 6 to 176.

John and Margaret Cockerell at Warrain Jerseys in Numurkah were also big movers, climbing to number three with their herd BPI rising 27 points to 166 BPI. A large proportion of their herd being genomic tested since December 2020 added to their figures.

Robert Bacon said it was pleasing to reach the top during a time when the Jersey breed continues to improve.

“I think Jerseys in general are getting better and more consistent,” he said. “We’ve been in the top handful for a few years and were top in the TWI before it ended and top for health traits, but this is our first time to top the BPI.”

However, he can’t really explain the huge jump. “We don’t really know why,” he said. “We haven’t changed anything. Our aim has always been to breed commercially viable, consistent cows with good confirmation, to enjoy milking them for a long time.”

Mr Bacon has also spoken to previous top place holder Con Glennen. “Con was the first on the phone to congratulate us and said it couldn’t happen to a better herd,” he added.

Brookbora Jerseys also entered four cows in the Sydney Royal Easter Show, winning all four classes highlighted by Interbreed Intermediate Supreme Champion BROOKBORA VALENTINO SWEET ELFA and Reserve Senior Jersey Champion BROOKBORA PGRS VALENTINO LOVELIES, coowned with Parrabel Genetics and Rockstar Cows.

Warrain Jerseys has had individual cows in the top rankings but this is the first time the herd has been in the top three. Margaret Cockerell said a focus on health and appearance traits was complementing the herd’s strong production performance.

“We’ve been sitting in the top 10 for a fair while but to suddenly jump up to number three was a bit of a surprise,” Mrs Cockerell said.

“With assistance from Amy Wright who does our mating management, we pick bulls that we think are going to improve our herd. We’ve had high production years around 7000-7500 litres average so we’re now looking to improve parts of the cow’s appearance, feet and legs and udder,” she said.

Top Jersey Bulls - April 2021 ABV Release

Jersey Australia Positive Selection List Bull Id Bull Name

ROULETTE CAIRNBRAE ROULETTE PICKLE WALLACEDALE PICKLE DOBSON WHITE STAR DOORMAN

BPI PRT % FAT % Milk Ltrs OT MAMM FERT

390 0.31% 0.20% 403 110 114 100 381 0.28% 0.38% 160 107 109 103 372 0.37% 0.21% 375 102 103 101 CSCJAMIEO MURRAY BROOK JAMIEO 360 0.18% 0.59% 117 109 112 100 29JE4213 FOREST GLEN CRAZE TRIPP-ET 341 0.16% 0.42% 169 104 105 101 ARDENT BERCAR 9216 337 0.30% 0.30% 263 105 105 101 PRIMROSE JACKIAH PEAK 9196 307 0.11% 0.07% 458 102 104 104 7JE01750 VICTORY CRAZE SRIXON {6} 293 0.21% 0.41% 71 102 103 103 7JE01904 JCJ JLS CHROME BOSA-ET 290 0.21% 0.41% 47 103 106 100 29JE4225 SANDCREEKS CRAZE SPARTY-ET 290 0.17% 0.26% 207 106 106 100 14JE00769 JX SPRING CREEK MARLO STONEY 285 0.27% 0.71% 115 103 101 102 ALGERNON BROADLIN HILUX 281 0.42% 0.03% 175 106 111 100 CSCTOYOTA AUBURN VALE TOYOTA 275 0.33% 0.26% 145 104 106 107 STGPILOT DORNOCH FIGHTERJET PILOT 266 0.22% 0.28% 52 109 114 101 0200JE00399 MISSISKA VITALITY 258 0.21% 0.11% 107 101 101 105 CSCBALENTI KAARMONA BALENTI 253 0.17% 0.47% 59 106 108 100 MINX STONYRUN AUtS TBONE MINX 252 0.13% 0.19% 204 106 105 101 7JE01737 JX AHLEM CRAZE PROTEUS {6}-ET 251 0.09% 0.16% 213 107 107 100 VDGOSCAR DUTCH HOLLOW OSCAR-ET 247 0.03% 0.34% 126 104 106 102 29JE4195 ABS MARINE-ET 238 0.13% 0.19% 168 102 100 101

“We expect a lot of milk out of the cows so we want to avoid them wearing out too quickly. The longer you can have her productive, the better the return. It’s not just about milk in the vat, it’s having a healthy cow capable of doing it.”

The top young genomic heifer in the April ABV release was KINGS VILLE BELLA 66 with a BPI of 381. The MATT daughter is owned by Rob and Kerrie Anderson at Kings Ville Jerseys in Gippsland.

Mr Anderson said KINGS VILLE BELLA 66 had a pedigree to match her BPI, making her marketable into the future.

“She’s a young calf that is ranked highly with great potential and she’s from a cow family that already has a bull in A.I, KING VILLE BASHFUL - P,” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Anderson’s daughter Holly had the number one ranked heifer KINGS VILLE HAHA BELLE 155 last year.

MATT daughters dominate the top list with BROADLIN ILAGAY 3791 with a BPI of 370 from the stud of Lisa and Lynton Broad equal second with KINGS VILLE MATT ERAN, also from the Kings Ville Stud.

Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett congratulated the Bacon family. “Reaching number one herd is a tremendous achievement that takes many years of committed breeding,” he said. “Be it the top Index herd, breeding quality bulls for AI programs or winning in the show ring, Brookbora is doing it all with distinction.”

Mr Barrett also highlighted the influence of MATT, which was the number one proven bull. “MATT is certainly leaving his mark on the Australian Jersey cow,” he said. “His proof continues to get stronger as do the quality of his progeny.”

MATT was the number one Proven Bull for the fifth time. Tim Weller from World Wide Sires Australia, which markets MATT, said his success wasn’t surprising considering his dominance of the proofs.

“As more and more of his daughters get into more herds, the success they’re having at the top end of the BPI is very humbling and exciting,” Mr Weller said.

TOP FERTILITY BULLS Bull Id Name

BPI Fert

MRFERTILITY BEULAH MR FERTILITY 308 111 VIKJHABBIT VJ GAMMELGAARD HAARE HABBIT 242 109 29JE3830 SUNSET CANYON DAZZLER-ET 241 109 CSCTOYOTA AUBURN VALE TOYOTA 275 107 011JE01150 DEERVIEW VALSON 255 107 29JE3949 SUNSET CANYON VIRGINIAN 241 107 29JE4137 ALL LYNNS LISTOWEL DALTON-P-ET 236 107

TOP A2/A2 BULLS Bull Id Name

DOUGGAN WHITE STAR DOUGLAS

A2 Status BPI

A2/A2 393 PICKLE WALLACEDALE PICKLE A2/A2 381 011JE01152 AHLEM VALENTINO REGAL A2/A2 380 TRECKER KAARMONA BECKER A2/A2 372 PICKETT WALLACEDALE PICKETT A2/A2 363 TLGQANTAS KINGS VILLE QANTAS ET A2/A2 363 29JE4137 ALL LYNNS LISTOWEL DALTON-P-ET 236 107

TOP TYPE BULLS Bull Id Name BPI OT MAMM

BUZZBOX BROADLIN BUZZBOX 192 114 116 TYBALT CAIRNBRAE TYRONE ET 157 114 117 MAUIMAN AHLEM VALENTINO MAUI 174 113 115 21838 INVINCIBLE LOXLEIGH HATMAN VINCE 326 112 114 5963 7J1038 ALL LYNNS LOUIE VALENTINO 294 112 113 0200JE01085 PERKINS SKYCLASS ET 148 111 111

Bull Id Name

7JE01344 WILSONVIEW IF MATT TRECKER KAARMONA BECKER

BPI MAS RES

352 113 372 112 0200JE01135 GUIMO JAMIE ET 297 111 PICKETT WALLACEDALE PICKETT 363 110 29JE4228 CAL-MART WILDER {5}-ET 341 110 250JE01834 PRIMUS DASHIELL STURGIS-ET 284 110 011JE01150 DEERVIEW VALSON 255 110

Bull Id Name BPI SURV 7J1038 ALL LYNNS LOUIE VALENTINO 294 114 ASKN BROOKBORA VALENTINO ASKN 285 114 011JE01150 DEERVIEW VALSON 255 114 0200JE01015 AHLEM RATCLIFFE-ET 319 113 CITATION BW CITATION A 237 113 MAUIMAN AHLEM VALENTINO MAUI 21838 174 113 011JE01150 DEERVIEW VALSON 255 110

TOP BPI BULLS Bull id Name

DOUGGAN WHITE STAR DOUGLAS ROULETTE CAIRNBRAE ROULETTE PICKLE WALLACEDALE PICKLE TRECKER KAARMONA BECKER DOBSON WHITE STAR DOORMAN BAZYLI KAARMONA BAZYLI CSCSKYWARD RANLEIGH SKYWARD TLGQANTAS KINGS VILLE QANTAS ET PICKETT WALLACEDALE PICKETT CSCJAMIEO MURRAY BROOK JAMIEO 7JE01344 WILSONVIEW IF MATT BOAST KINGS VILLE BOAST 29JE4213 FOREST GLEN CRAZE TRIPP-ET 29JE4228 CAL-MART WILDER {5}-ET ARDENT BERCAR 9216

BPI

393 390 381 372 372 366 364 363 363 360 352 344 341 341 337

TOP POLLED BULLS Bull Id Name BPI Polled Status

CSCBUSHFIELD BROOKBORA BUSHFIELD P 312 P TLGBASHFUL KINGS VILLE BASHFUL P 307 P BEDFORD KINGS VILLE BEDFORD P-PO 303 P 0200JE00245 DUTCH HOLLOW DILLAN P 297 P MADILL KINGS VILLE MADILL P 297 P POLLEDGOLD BROADLIN POLLEDGOLD PP 294 PP

LIFE MEMBERS:

• Colin & Jenny Dowel – Inverell • Keith & Pat Kuhne – Bushlea • Gordon & Marianne Lawson – Kooroo • Don & Evelyn Patterson – Sanray

MEMBERS:

• L & J Anderson – Kings Vista • Winsome Anderson – Kayvee • G, E & B, K Boyd – Ranleigh • T & B Crawford – Billy Creek • R & S Goode – Boronia Ridge • C Harrison – Krishlaye • W & L Kuhne – Bushlea • W Lace – Carla Rose • Launder Family – Glenmaple • D & A Mathews – Langdale • Perrett Family – Rye Valley & Mytee • P Price – Springview • M & N Templeton – View Fort • D & L Hoey – Beulah • Lynton & Lisa Broad – Broadlin • Gavin Broad – Broadside • Sage Deenan – Carisma • Allan Family,-Inverlair Heights • Vagg Family – Bonnay • Richards Family – Somersleigh • Moscript Family – Glenjuristan • A Trotman – Auburn Vale • T Mumford & J Douch – South Coast • C Pulham – Pulham Genetics • P Anderson – Kings Veldt • S & K Whitten - Inspiration Park

New Members Always welcomed!

Quality & Energy the Key to Success

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In today’s market and prices it is crucial to focus on best farming inputs and management to ensure best value for money.

At Vic Feeds we understand no two dairy farms are the same, which is why we formulate to suit individual farm requirements.

We have seen great results around the Gippsland and Goulburn Valley regions from farmers achieving a boost in production such as Bushlea Farms in Koonwarra.

VIC FEEDS

What’s been happening around the grounds?

Northern District Club Bus tour

SGJBC members Lynton, Lisa & Gavin Broad of Broadlin Jerseys, Keith & Wayne Kuhne of Bushlea Jerseys, Matt and Nicola Templeton of View Fort Jerseys and Darien and Alex Mathews of Langdale Jerseys welcomed a group from Northern Victoria during a bus tour in February. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the depth of Jerseys in the area. The Northern District Jersey Club President – Daniel Bacon reported ‘NDJBC would like to thank the South Gippsland Jersey Club for hosting our club for a great weekend of Jersey cows, outstanding hospitality and great people! We were very envious of the green grass and very thankful for the farms opening up your operations for us to look through. Every farm we went to should be proud of their awesome herds and farms’. The tour culminated in a great social evening where Lynton & Lisa Broad (pictured top right) were recognised for their commitment to the Northern District Jersey Club with a Life Membership being awarded. From all at the SGJBC – Congratulations.

Celebrating ‘75 Years of Bushlea’ book launch

We gathered at Bushlea on Friday 16th April to witness Keith & Pat Kuhne launch their incredible recollection of the journey of Bushlea from its initiation. The roll-up of members – past and present, as well as many distinguished Jersey and industry people were a testament to the impact this stud has had on the dairy industry in Australia. How fortunate we are as a club to have such inspiring peers and roll models – and we congratulate all at Bushlea, for the many many years of dedication to the Jersey cow. All active members in Australia will receive a copy of the book, courtesy of Bushlea.

Warragul Autumn Fair

It was exciting to see such a strong show at the recent Warragul fair with exhibits coming from all areas of Victoria to compete. Congratulations to our exhibitors from SGJBC – Templetons, Hoeys and Patrick Anderson. It was also great to see so many spectators and club members ringside! Notably– Bushlea Val Fernleaf 21 Ex91 was Reserve Champion Cow for her new owners Gorbro Holsteins, Rocky Allen and the Omeara Family, bred by Bushlea. Also, Congratulations to Adadale Joel Eileen VG88, Reserve Intermediate Champion for M & N Templeton. 2nd Junior 2yo – View Fort Brook Priscilla – M & N Templeton 1st & Best Udder of class, Senior 2 year old – Beulah Oliver R Bambi – D & L Hoey 1st & Best Udder of class, Senior 3 Year old – Adadale Joel Eileen – M & N Templeton 1st & Udder of class, 4 Year old – Bushlea Val Fernleaf 21 – Gorbro, Allen & O’Meara 2nd 5 Year old – Adadale Blackstone Petra – M & N Templeton 2nd Aged Cow – Brunchilli Getaway Priscilla – M & N Templeton 1st Place Dam & Daughter - Brunchilli Getaway Priscilla & View Fort Brook Priscilla – M & N Templeton