Life Membership And Sale Record For Veteran Classifier

WORDS // RICK BAYNE

Janine and Alan Carson

OVER nearly 40 years Alan Carson has visited every Jersey herd in Australia in his role as a classifier.

He’s also spent three terms on the Jersey Australia board and played a leading role in mentoring young breeders as they make their way in the dairy industry.

Alan and his wife Janine have sold their Irrewillipe dairy farm and awardwinning Cairnbrae Jerseys and will move to Torquay at the end of November, but their long contribution to Jerseys won’t be forgotten.

Alan’s contribution was formally recognised with a Jersey Australia life membership presented at the start of their on-farm second stage dispersal sale on October 13.

The sale averaged $5740 – a new dispersal record for a Jersey sale - with a top price of $28,000 for Lot 176 Cairnbrae Casino Estelle 4, from a total clearance of 192 lots. The earlier dispersal sale averaged $4560.

“We’ve had lots of good reports from our previous sale and will watch them with great interest at their new homes,” Alan said. “They don’t happen in five minutes; it has taken us a lifetime to put them together.”

Alan has been a classifier for Jersey Australia since 1983, including two periods as head classifier between 1999 and 2012 and 2016 to 2021.

He has also been a Director on the Jersey Australia board since 2015.

The award was presented by former Jersey Australia president Chris MacKenzie who was the most recent life membership recipient.

Chris described Alan as an astute and respected classifier and a forwardthinking board member.

He said the name Cairnbrae Jerseys, established in 1947, resonated around the world.

Success in the show ring included an International Dairy Week grand champion cow in 2019, number one BPI cows, and multiple cows classified to 94 points.

They have also been prominent breeders of bulls for artificial insemination, with 24 entering the system highlighted by ELTON who sold more than 150,000 straws.

“Alan is also as very encouraging person who takes strong interest in supporting young breeders,” Chris said. “The leadership Alan has shown in that way has been enormous.

“What happens in an organisation often comes down to a few people, and Alan’s passion for cows and ensuring they are awarded justly through the classification system, has always shone through.

“His success in recent years must seem like a dream come true with the achievements of their cows.”

Alan said the life membership was a “tremendous honour”.

“I’ve had a great time classifying cows and enjoyed every bit of it,” he said.

Mr Carson is continuing as a classifier at this stage, although he’s uncertain for how long. “I don’t know how much longer I will do it. I’ve always been a firm believer that when you’re not milking cows you shouldn’t still be classifying but I’m still going at this stage.”

Classifiers evaluate and compare cow body parts for their structure

according to breed conformation scorecard and ideals.

“I have put a lot of time into it,” Alan said. “I’ve travelled all around Australia for the classifications. I would have been on every Jersey farm in Australia several times, from Western Australia to Tasmania to the Atherton Tablelands.”

Alan paid tribute Janine. “I’ve spent many days classifying cows but I’ve had someone at home milking the cows for me; without Janine I couldn’t have done it,” he said.

The farm has been sold to a sheep farmer, ending a family dairy farming history dating back to 1897.

Alan and Janine took over the farm in 1976.

Alan and Janine will raise 71 calves before moving to their new beef property at Torquay.

There will be a lot of sentiment as they see the cows loaded on trucks.

“On Monday morning when they’re all gone it’s really going to hit,” Mr Carson said.

He leaves confident that the Jersey cow is the cow of the future due to its efficiency.

“The Jersey cow is definitely better today than when we started,” he said.

Current Jersey Australia president Lisa Broad said Alan’s commitment in continually improving and evolving the classification system had been second to none.

“He’s given it all over his time in classification but that’s just one part of his commitment. Alan has also been a valued Board member and a major contributor to dairy farming and the Jersey breed.”

WESTERN DISTRICT JERSEY BREEDERS CLUB

1944 - 2020

Ashley Roslyn 0402 271 392

Endeavour Jerseys Karin Couch 0438 665 216

Miami Jerseys Mark, Phillipa & Brenton Flemming 0419 320 777

Warrion Jerseys Sarah Chant 0400 092 337

MT PLEASANT JERSEYS Tim, Daryl & Sue Bryce 03 5565 1474 0428 615 350

JIREH JERSEYS Chris & Pam McKenzie 0455 987 222 MONTANA PARK Stephen Gleeson 03 5567 1090

BRUCKNELL CREEK Paul & Jessica Howe 0438 318 468

GREEN PINES Greg & Leesa Bryce 0437 662 523

ALAMBIE Mary & Russell Hussy 03 5569 2228 CAIRNBRAE JERSEYS Alan & Janine Carson 03 5235 3201

JAKE HARKNESS 0448 634 533 Alta Geneti cs Australia WOOTANGA PARK Leo McGrath 0428 281 868

ELMS PARK JERSEYS Shahna & Andrew Chant 0400 128 960

WANSTEAD JERSEYS Roger & Amanda Heath 0447 939 321 LERIDA PARK JERSEYS Rhys & Lauren Smethurst 0428 564 389

BAROMI Jason Smith 0438 307 342

CHISLEW JERSEYS David Leonard 0438 662 313 WOOLVIE JERSEYS Owen & Carla Barry 0409 339 532

SEAVIEW Jason & Fiona Newcombe 0427 988 232 MURRAY BROOK Adam & Paul Lenehan 0428 687330 • 0428 687 331

AMY WRIGHT 0408 417 871 World Wide Sires Australia

DAVID WEEL 0428 309 181

For further information please contact: WESTERN DISTRICT JERSEY BREEDERS CLUB PRESIDENT: Daryl Bryce (p) 0428 615 350 SECRETARY: Lynette Lenehan (p) 03 5568 7330

New members always welcome

LIFE MEMBERS

Don Clarke 0429 661 156 Bruce & Lorraine Smethurst

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