Jersey Australia AGM and Conference Wrap

WORDS // RICK BAYNE

WELL, what a week the AGM and Conference was. The Central Gippsland Jersey Breeders club promised us something special and special they delivered.

The week started on the Monday at KINGS VILLE Jersey with our host Robert and Kerrie Anderson and Family. The herd was on display, and you know when you drive into Kings Ville that you will not be disappointed with the quality of cows to inspect.

Following a superb lunch, Brian Leslie and Dairy Livestock Services team took centre stage for the Dairy’s Finest sale and what a sale it was. We called Dairy’s Finest Sale, members delivered one of the most impressive multi-vendor sale catalogues in history, DLS promoted it as the World’s Finest and our members backed it with a record sale average of $8,178.00. Simply outstanding and our congratulations to all involved. Special thanks to our sale sponsors and supports GENETICS AUSTRALIA, LEADING EDGE GENETICS and GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES.

Following the sale, members and guests enjoyed some refreshment long into the afternoon in Kings Ville’s impressive new barn before finishing the day with a casual dinner at Newmason’s in Warragul.

Day 2 started with members ticking off their COVID compliance protocols and boarding the bus for the trip to YOUNGSTAR Jerseys. Donald and Renee Ross and Family at Heath Hill followed by the RIVIERA Jersey herd of Scott and Tahnee Wilson and Family at Nyora. Both Youngstar and Riviera are emerging breeders in our Association and had some terrific cows on display.

Our thanks to Caldermeade Farm as well for providing a delicious morning tea of scones jam and cream at Riviera Jerseys before again boarding the bus.

ATTAVIEW Jersey was our next destination and despite it being a little breezy on their hilltop, our hosts Reece and Toni Attenborough another fine quality herd of Jerseys cows for all to inspect.

Lunch was a special treat with wellknown chef and Jersey breeder Matt Wilson cooking up sumptuous roast beef rolls. Gippsland Jersey sponsored our lunch, and it was great to hear from Sallie Jones and Steve Ronalds on the journey of Gippsland Jersey and what their plans for the future are. We were also able to hear from Semex Australia an Allflex over lunch. Heat detection and herd health monitoring are great resources in your farm management tool kit, and it was terrific to receive a demo on the system they provide. We also thank both Semex and AllFlex for their sponsorship support.

Our final herd visit for the day we visited the WALLACEDALE herd of Luke and Mel Wallace and Family. The day before a Wallacedale cow set the standard as lot 1 at the Dairy’s Finest sale and we all left the herd inspection with a great appreciation of the Wallacedale herd.

Following some light refreshments at the Poowong Pub, members retired to the hotel to change for the JA Awards Dinner. The West Gippsland Arts Centre was our host for the Annual Awards Dinner and with one of regional Victoria’s best dining establishments as our host we celebrate in fine style. Our event major sponsor REID STOCKFEEDS was our keynote speaker, and it was a sensational night for the Association to recognise our members for the services, achievements, and longevity in the Breed.

Day 3 started with growing issue of COVID looming large on the event activities forcing a cancellation of the Ellinbank Research Farm tour that afternoon and the farm and museum visits the following day as they were inside the Melbourne zone.

On we went though to MAJESTIC Jerseys and our hosts Theo and Anne Bradley who are another emerging breeder in the Association. Theo has a thirst for information and is seeing great results in his breeding program

ARALUEN PARK & STONYRUN AUS was our next point of call where host Trevor Saunders and Anthea with the great support of their sponsors ProDairy and Phillipson Accounting provide morning tea before taking us on a herd inspection. All presents were keen to provide their advice on which cow the purchaser of the Pick of The Herd at Dairy’s Finest should take and there is no doubt it will not be an easy job to make that selection. It was also terrific to here from Prodairy and Phillipson’s on the role they play in supporting dairy farmers as service providers, suppliers, and advisors.

Lunch was a feast fit for a royal banquet with Brett Kuhne in charge of the kitchen we were wined and dined in sensational fashion. While we could not get to the Ellinbank Research Farm, a few of their researchers were kind enough to come to us and it was great to here from them on what R&D is on the go at Ellinbank and a great opportunity for members to remind our Industry R&D leaders that there is more than one breed of cow in the dairy industry.

After a stop off in Yarragon where members enjoyed a look through town or perhaps a cleansing refreshment, we were back to the hotel to change for the evening. Hoggets Kitchen did not disappoint and continued the culinary journey members had been on all week. We also had a presentation from sponsor RABOBANK.

The final day of the AGM and Conference came with some disappointment as a COVID situation forced the Association to postpone the AGM. This was disappointing for all and we thank the members for their understanding.

Special thanks to the Central Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club for hosting the 2021 AGM and Conference. You did a terrific job in putting on a great event and the organising committee of Reece, Kerrie, Rob, Trevor and Anthea should be well commended for their efforts.