Australian Jerseys Have A Lot To Offer

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 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 Sprunt family of Kaarimba has achieved what no other breeder has done by having both their Jersey herd and Holstein herds rank in the top 10 on BPI. New Kaarmona Jersey TRECKER Matt x Raceway is an impressive 372 BPIg placing him in the top 1%, and he leads the team with an equally impressive 112 for Mastitis Resistance, also a top 1% ABV.

New heterozygous polled bulls BEDFORD Bashful P x Volcano at 303 BPIg, from Robert and Kerrie Anderson’s Kings Ville Jerseys at Drouin West and POLLHERO P 280 BPIg Matt x Oliver P from the Broad family’s Broadlin Jerseys at Wonthaggi will also have appeal in Australia and Europe where polled Jerseys are growing in popularity. Both bulls come from deep proven cow families and their high ABVg is complemented by both offering A22.

The new bulls join a strong group of both genomic and daughter proven Jerseys. Of the top 10 genomic Jerseys sires in April, six were available from GA.

For those seeking the surety of adding daughter proven bulls to their sire selection there are more options now available.

VALENBLAST Valentino x Sandblast at 333 leads the way with 52 milking daughters but not yet at publishable levels to be listed on the top ABV list.

ASKN also falls into the non-publishable list at 285 BPI, as does DOUGGAN at 393 BPI with just nine milking daughters to date, while the title of the highest Australian daughter proven Jersey goes to ALGERNON Navarian x Raceway at 281 BPI with 162 milking daughters and 111 for mammary.

VALIN Valentino x Navara closely follows at 272 BPI and 105 for mammary now with 343 milking daughters. Early reports on milking daughters of INVINCIBLE Hatman x Valentino are very positive and at 326 BPIg and 114 for mammary he is expected to add more daughters in future years.

Old favourites TAHBILK 245 BPI and the internationally-acclaimed AUSSIEGOLD 235 BPI both offer 99% reliable ABVs. With 90 milking daughters and a BPI of 219 CASPIAN Axis x Legion, has a ‘no holes’ ABV and is a value for money bull.

The influence of Jersey bulls available through GA is further highlighted by the inclusion of US Jersey sires VALENTINO 7J1038 294 BPI and 113 for mammary and OLIVER P 7J1219, 264 BPI and 112 for mammary.

The influence of these two breed greats is significant throughout the Jersey world and through Genetics Australia’s alliance with WWS these two bulls have made a positive contribution to Jersey herds around Australia.

The 2021 Genetics Australia Sire Catalogue contains more information plus details on other bulls or visit www.genaust.au for more information. ALGERNON is Australia’s highest daughter Proven Jersey at 281 BPI and 111 for Mammary.

Broadlin Vanessa 2950 EX90, ALGERONs much admired Dam.

President: Rohan Sprunt - 0418 579 367 Secretary: Geoff Akers (03) 5829 8478

GMJBC proud to support the Jersey Australia AGM Dairy’s Finest Sale with these outstanding consignments…

2nd dam: Kathleigh Gun Grace-ET EX92

H CHERRYLOCK CCC GRACEFUL Olives

August 2020 born Oliver x Casino 86@2yrs x the proven show winner Kathleigh Gun Grace, EX92 (4th Gen EX). This fancy calf has already placed 3rd at the Northern Vic All Breeds Heifer Classic

H DIAMOND HILL HV VIP Felice

September 2020 born VIP x EX90 Hired Gun (6th Gen EX) x Family Hill SD Favourite EX

WOW! What a family

Dam: Kaarmona Eclipse Nellie 14 EX90 Diamond Hill SD F Gun EX90

H KAARMONA VANAHLEM Nellie 28

April 2020 born Vanahlem from the current GMJBC On Farm Challenge Champion Cow who is 7 out of 8 Gen EX.

H KAARMONA DECADE Babe 340

August 2020 born Decade from the highest ever in-milk Junior 2yo at Kaarmona.

Dam: Kaarmona Valentino Babe 285 EX91 (max)

Herd inspections possible by appointment only…

Geoff and Natalie Akers LOXLEIGH JERSEYS Victoria Rd, Tallygaroopna 3634 (03) 5829 8478 geoffakers1@bigpond.com Brad and Jess Gavenlock CHERRYLOCK Tallygaroopna 0437 299 205

Andrew Younger

KADDY JERSEYS

1025 Mulcahy Road, Gillieston 0409 572 484 motor5@bigpond.com jersey.com.au/jweb/uploads/kaddy/ kaddy_intro.html Graeme & Robyn, Rohan & Claire Sprunt

KAARMONA JERSEYS

228 & 235 Kaarimba Hall Rd, Kaarimba 3635. (03) 5826 9506 kaarmona@bigpond.com D&A, T&A Van Popering

BRUNETTA JERSEYS

916 Invergordon Rd, Invergordon 3636 Tim 0438 884 416 David 0488 655 315

John & Margaret Cockerell

WARRAIN JERSEYS

1219 Rendells Rd, Numurkah 3636 (03) 5864 1133 warrainjerseys.m@gmail.com

FROGLANDS JERSEYS

Ben Pedretti Tallygaroopna 3634 0447 429 828 Peter & Lyn Sprunt

YALCARA JERSEYS

926 Sandmount Road, Katunga 3640 (03) 5873 2583 yalcara57@gmail.com Jason Hayes

HAZEL VALE JERSEYS

1979 Cosgrove Rd, Invergordon 3636 0410 135 420

New Members always welcome

LIFE MEMBERS

Dick Maloney 0358 641 064 Ron Baker 0358 646 246 Peter Farrell 0409 503 352 Marg Cockerell 0358 641 133 Peter Sprunt 0458 005 255