| PROFILE | WORDS // RICK BAYNE
Giving Back To The Breed G
EOFF Akers says Jersey cows have been good to him; now it’s time for him to give something in return.
Geoff has joined the Jersey Australia Board, building on his family’s 70-year connection to the breed. The Tallygaroopna farmer in northern Victoria has been part of the Goulburn Murray Jersey Breeders Club for many years, including currently holding the secretary’s role, and says his decision to join the Board reflects his love of the breed. “I was asked if I was interested and I was happy to do it,” he said. “I’d like to contribute to the Jersey breed if I’m able; the Jersey cow has been very good to us and we’re quite passionate about them.” The Loxleigh Jersey Stud was started nearly 70 years ago. The Akers family has been on the Tallygaroopna farm since 1993 after moving from closer to Shepparton. The family built the dairy in 1993, converting the property from beef. Geoff was working at the Department of Agriculture at the time but has since returned to the farm and now runs it with his wife Natalie, milking up to 700 cows on about 1500 acres, including run-off blocks. While the bulk of the herd is Jersey, they have about 100 cross-bred Holsteins milked in a second herd. “We find Jerseys are easier to manage and more efficient but we’re keeping the Friesians to get a few Angus-cross calves out of them,” Geoff said. Loxleigh has done some showing, mainly local shows and International Dairy Week which is also in the local region. The stud has also participated in Jersey Australia On-Farm Challenges, winning four Great Southern titles and taking the All-Australian title in 2017 with LOXLEIGH BADGER IRIS 4. Geoff doesn’t come to the Board with any pre-conceived ideas or agenda to push.
“I’ve got to get involved and find out where things are at,” he said. “There are a few new projects on the go so I’ve got to get in and understand those and understand the general direction the organisation wants to head. “For me, the main challenges are putting the focus on the Jersey cow but also being profitable as an organisation. The Jersey cow is in a really good position with her production and efficiency and we want to continue that.” One issue that Geoff sees emerging centres on bull calves. “Probably the biggest issue we have to face is with bull calves. As a breed, we may have to take responsibility there at some stage so that is a challenge for us.” On a more positive note, he wants to ensure the advantages of the Jersey cow around components and fertility are maintained and that technologies are used to advance the breed. “We have to make sure we don’t get swamped by other breeds,” Geoff said. “Jerseys are growing at the moment and I don’t think it’s unreasonable expectation that the percentage of Jerseys in the national herd continues to grow, particularly in pasturefed areas. “I think the Holstein breed has already identified the issues relating to the size of their cow, especially in the highrainfall pasture-fed regions. “A lot of our very top Jersey cows in the show ring have also proved to be very good at a genomic level.” Geoff is happy with his herd. “I breed for a base level of production and then udders and type, front-end strength and rib,” he said. “If they haven’t got that, they might be a good cow but I don’t believe you’ll breed anything out of them.”
The Australian Jersey Journal – September-October 2021 // 6
