Dairy’s Finest Showcase Sale Sets New Australian Record

WORDS // RICK BAYNE

Sandra, Daniel & Rob Bacon, sold Brookbora PGRS Chrome Love Lies for the sale top of $20,000, pictured with Peter Ness (right). Trevor Saunders and Anthea Day sold a ‘pick of the herd’ for second top price of $13,500.

Avirtual sale of Dairy’s Finest Jersey cows has set a new Australian record average price and a new top price for an Australian-bred heifer.

All 26 lots were cleared at the May 23 Jersey Australia sale to an average price of $8178 with a top of $20,000.

Jersey Australia chairman Chris MacKenzie described the result as exceptional and said that it reflected confidence in the industry and demand for Jersey cows.

The sale at Kings Ville Jerseys in Drouin West marked the start of Jersey Australia’s annual four-day conference.

The live auction was conducted by Brian Leslie of Dairy Livestock Services and online by Elite Livestock Auctions.

The cows weren’t on site but were presented in photos, a concept that Mr MacKenzie said worked very well.

“Interest was very strong and the range of buyers was very impressive,” he said. “We had top animals and a top sale, and we got a top price, and it augers very well for the industry.”

Mr MacKenzie said he expected the virtual sale concept to be used in the future. “It means vendors don’t have to go to the trouble and cost of transporting and preparing their lots, but buyers still have access to all the relevant information and photos.”

Mr Leslie said he believed the $8178 average was a new Australian record for Jerseys.

“I thought it was the best catalogue we’ve put together. The industry is in good shape and the Jersey breed is rolling along very well, but it still exceeded all expectations,” he said.

“The top price of $20,000 was very high but there was strong demand all the way through for a total clearance.”

The conference is being organised by the Central Gippsland Club and president Reece Attenborough said the sale produced an amazing result.

“We have to thank all the vendors for putting their best lots forward,” he added.

The top price of $20,000 was achieved by Brookbora PGRS Chrome Love Lies sold by Rob, Sandra and Daniel Bacon of Brookbora Jerseys, Parrabel Genetics, Rockstar Cows and Aspire Jerseys.

“We didn’t have any expectations but we’re ecstatic with that price,” Daniel Bacon said.

“The overall sale was good for the breed and it was good to see a few Holstein breeders getting into the market.”

The top price cow was bought by Declan Patten on behalf of Melbourne-based thoroughbred breeders looking to move into dairy cattle.

“She’s the highest-priced Australian-bred Jersey heifer of all time which gives an indication of her quality,” he said.

“She ticks a lot of boxes and she will be a great investment. The investors see there are great opportunities in agriculture and Jerseys are at the forefront of that in the dairy industry.”

Second top price of $13,500 was achieved by Araluen Park and Stonyrun Jerseys with a pick of the herd offer.

Vendors Trevor Saunders and Anthea Day said they were pleased with the result. “We’re incredibly happy with the result,” Mr Saunders said. “It was a bit of a gamble to do it this way, but we would have been happy with anything over $10,000.”

“Overall, the sale was amazing.”

Selling agents Dairy Livestock Services report

The Dairy’s Finest Showcase Sale hosted by the Central Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club and held at Kings Ville Jerseys of Robert and Kerrie Anderson was an outstanding success. All lots remained on their home farms and were auctioned to the crowd on site and the many online through Elite Livestock Auctions.

Sale top of $20,000 was paid by Love Lies Partners c/o Declan Patten of Sale, Vic for Brookbora PGRS Chrome Love Lies a rising yearling from the current Sydney Royal Reserve Champion Cow and backed by 3 generations of major Show Champions, she was sold by Brookbora, Aspire, Parrabel & Rockstar Jerseys.

Second top of $13,500 was for the unique offering of the ‘Pick of the Araluen Park herd’ of Saunders and Day, this incredible offering was purchased by L & L Broad of Broadlin Jerseys, Wonthaggi. Next top of $13,000 was the EX 91 max score young cow Broadlin Illusion 3464 sired by Oliver-P, she was purchased by K & M Atkins of Tamworth, NSW.

The well known Miami herd from Cobrico selected lot 1, Wallacedale Olive Melaine 2, EX 91, a 5th gen EX from L & M Wallace at $11,500. The West Australian entry, Katandra Park Bontino Dream backed by 5 gens EX offered by the Fry Family sold at $10,200 to R & B Walmsley of SA.

Wanstead Sandstorm Fernleaf a daughter of the current All Australian 4 year old Wanstead Valentino Fernleaf, EX 93 sold at $10,000 to Stem Genetics of Morwell from vendors R & A Heath.

Ripponlea Craze Tinkerbelle 3113 from B Egan sold due to sexed Askn from a many time Show Champion dam at $9,500 to C & M Gleeson of Crossley, Vic. The same buyer also purchased Kings Ville Melmiss 57, 88 points max score 2 year old at $8,250 from R & K Anderson. These vendors also sold Kings Ville Belle 171-P, a smart yearling with maternal brothers in AI at $9,500 to John Lindsay of NSW. Also at $9,500 was Kaarmona Vanahlem Nellie 28 a/c G & R Sprunt selling to Jugiong Jerseys.

The ’Pick of Progeny’ from Attaview Taranak Inch, EX 92 sold at $9,000 to L & M Wallace. While Diamond Hill HV VIP Felice backed by 6 gens of EX dams sold from Diamond Hill & J Hayes at $8,500 to C Ferrari of Princetown. At the same money was the Pick of 3 heifers from Bushlea Nathan Belle 2, EX 94 offered by S & T Wilson sold to R & T Attenborough. Simon Reid sold the high production backed Jackiah Chrome Momosa 3141 at $8,000 to C Allen of Cobargo, NSW 26 Jerseys av $8,180 to be a new Australian record for an all Jersey sale.

JERSEY AUSTRALIA (NSW Branch)

Invites you to the Annual 24th NSW STATE JERSEY SHOW YOUTH SHOW & AGM 2021

Wednesday 29th - Thursday 30th September - Friday 1st October [NSW SCHOOL HOLIDAYS] Camden Showground, NSW

OPEN SHOW JUDGE Mrs Lisa Broad

YOUTH SHOW JUDGE Mr Jason Hayes

WEDNESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 6.00 PM - Jersey Australia (NSW Branch) AGM @ Cattle Sheds 6.00 PM - Youth showmanship master class & games @ The judging ring. BBQ Dinner

Rockstar Verbatim Eve EX 93

1st 4yr-old in milk Senior Best Udder Senior Champion Cow 2019 NSW STATE JERSEY SHOW

Owned by Rockstar Jerseys, Cobargo

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THURSDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 9.00 AM - YOUTH SHOW + Showmanship classes - Judge, Mr Jason Hayes. BBQ Lunch 12.30 PM - OPEN SHOW heifer classes - Judge, Mrs Lisa Broad. 3.30 PM for 4.00 PM - PARRABEL ROCKSTAR SPECTACULAR SALE Followed by a social dinner & trivia night - All welcome @ The judging ring FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER 9.30am - OPEN SHOW in-milk classes - Judge, Mrs Lisa Broad. BBQ Lunch at the conclusion of judging.