The Australian Jersey Journal February 2008

2007 Great Southern Supreme Jersey

Kaarmona Parade Babe 2 VHC93

Print Post Approved 325550-009

February / March 2008

Journal

JERSEY

AUSTRALIAN

Trueblue (Astound / Biest BiestAr) BiestA r)

Trueblue dtrs: Two at left bred and owned by J&M Cockerell, Vic, dtr on right bred and owned by the Baker Family, Vic.

Thankyou to those Jersey enthusiasts that joined 21st Century Genetics on the ‘Trueblue’ daughter inspection tour during IDW. The feedback we received from several of the breeds best judges was very encouraging.

We think Trueblue could be a star!

]]]]

Trueblue - bred to be a champion A maternal brother to Megastar

Expect very good udders, deep and open rib, above average production and very good feet and legs… plus consistency!

Unit 11/85-91 Keilor Park Drive, Tullamarine VIC 3043 tel: 03 9330 3444 fax: 03 9330 3144 email: sales@4alta.com web: www.21stcenturygenetics.com.au

Daryl Brown

0418 329 072

Tony Simpson 0427 341 458 Brad Aitken

0438 031 361

Fiona Hanks

0429 797 418

Hayley Boyd

0428 765 767

Mal Sayers

0428 443 549

Peter Clifford

0417 341 142

Volume 62 No. 17 — February / March 2008

CONTENTS PO BOX 292, ASCOT VALE, VIC 3032 Telephone: (03) 9370 9105 Fax: (03) 9370 9116 Email: jersey@jersey.com.au www.jersey.com.au Compiling Editor: Scott Joynson Designed and Printed by: Numurkah Leader (03) 5862 1034 Email: design@leader.net.au

Behind the scenes ABVS now simpler to use Goulburn Murray Jersey Breeders Club Somersleigh Jerseys Youth Profile Somerhill Jersey No Idle Whim Great Northern Jersey Challenge 2007 Jenny Dale Jerseys No Stranger to Awards

2 5 6 7 9 10 12

International Dairy Week 2008 Results Shenstone Jerseys The Emmett Family Three year old babe wins Great Southern Challenge PT Program pays its way NSW 2007 State Jersey Show Results Fees

14 16 19 23 24 28

13

New South Wales

State Secretary - Milton Johnston Phone: (02) 6552 5915 Fax: (02) 6552 5915

Kaarmona Parade Babe 2, VHC93

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

State Secretary - Megan March 14 Murray Dve Murray Bridge SA 5253 Phone: (08) 8531 3803 Email: march@lm.net.au

TASMANIA

State Secretary - Max McCormack PO Box 1258 Devonport TAS 7310 Phone: (03) 6424 1250 Mobile: 0409 252 232 Email: mpmccormack@southcom.com.au

VICTORIA

Executive Offier - Scott Joynson 79 Munro Street Ascot Vale VIC 3032 Phone: (03) 9370 9105 BH Fax: (03) 9370 9116 jersey@jersey.com.au Genetic Recovery Officers Chris MacKenzie (Western Districts) Phone: (03) Phone:(03) 5598 7222 Margaret Cockerell (Northern Vic) Phone: 0407 641 132 (03) 5864 1133 Barry Monson (03) 5625 3176 or 0429 343 903

WESTERN AUSTRALIA State Secretary - Kay Peek Phone: (08) 9313 2145 Fax: (08) 9313 3380

Opinions expressed in The Australian Jersey Journal are not necessarily those of the Australian Jersey Breeders Society Federal Council Inc. or Compiling Editor, and no responsibility whatsoever is taken for their authenticity. While every effort will be made to publish advertisements as ordered, no responsibility is taken for the failure of an advertisement to appear as ordered.

COVER

QUEENSLAND

State Secretary - Diane Reeves Phone: (07) 5485 4585 Work: (07) 3221 3182 Fax: (07) 5485 4575 Email: ajbsqld@bigond.com

24m 6992L 4.08%F 285KgF 3.60%P 252KgP 290Days 114PI 36m 5530L 4.21%F 233KgF 3.71%P 205KgP 185Days 111PI 5 out of 7 gen VHC/Ex 2nd Prize 2yo in-milk GMJBC OFC 2006 2nd Prize Jnr 2yo in-milk IDW 2007 2nd Best Udder of class Jnr 2yo in-milk IDW 2007 1st Prize 3yo in-milk GMJBC OFC 2007 Champion 3yo Semex/Jersey Australia Great Southern Challenge 2007 Grand Champion Cow Semex/Jersey Australia Great Southern Challenge 2007 2nd Prize Jnr 3yo in-milk IDW 2008 Honourable Mention Intermediate Champion Cow IDW 2008 Her son, Kaarmona Bailey (sire: Futurity) is going to ABS Australia She is our 1st ever cow to go 93pts as a 3yo.

She has a picture perfect udder She is bred to Action for spring calving Her Dam: Kaarmona Mannix Babe 7 (ET), HC+87 4L ave 7000L 330kgF 249KgP 107PI

2nd Dam: Kaarmona Lester Babe, VHC91 4L ave 7140L 405KgF 266KgP 131PI Dam of CSCBERLEST & 3 VHC dtrs 3rd Dam: BIE BB Babe, VHC91 Ex The super brood cow Dam of 14 VHC dtrs

Graeme & Robyn Sprunt Ph/Fax: (03)5826 9659 Rohan & Claire Sprunt Ph: (03)5826 9506 Fax: (03)5826 9415 kaarmona@bigpond.com.au

ADVERTISERS INDEX 21st Century Genetics 21st Century Genetics Agri - Gene P/L Bushlea Farms Fodder King Kaarmona Jerseys Meldan Jerseys Nowell Jerseys Royal Adelaide Show 2008 Semex

IFC 4 26 17 2 FC 3 3 12 BC

Wendon Jersey Willow Downs World Wide Sires

25 4 IBC

Editorial & Advertising to: Scott Joynson PO Box 292, Ascot Vale VICTORIA 3032 Ph. (03) 9370 9105 Fax. (03) 9370 9116 Email: jersey@jersey.com.au JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

1

behindthescenes The Jersey breed was again on show at International Dairyweek 2008 with event organisers excited by the jump in Jersey entries. AJBS Federal Council again funded a ringside display booth which was visited by members from all states of Australia along with a number of international visitors from Canada, United Kingdom , USA and New Zealand.

There is an international theme that will continue beyond January 2008 as AJBS Federal Council and AJBS Victorian Branch fund official representation at the upcoming World Jersey Bureau meeting in Jersey Island.

AJBS is to promote the Australian Jersey to the world at this event, something this country has not seen as a priority in recent years. In response to the increased interest in Australian proven genetics being reported by AB Companies via record semen sales of locally proven bulls, AJBS hopes to promote our very special Jersey cow.

The April/May edition of the Australian Jersey Journal is to be a forum for members to show off our Australian cow to the world as this magazine and other promotional material will be promoted at the AJBS booth at the World Jersey Conference.

Members and AJBS cattle clubs are encouraged to contact the Jersey office to take part in this national promotion.

Members would have noted that the World Jersey Bureau had called for applications for the International Young Jersey Breeder Educational Travel Award. AJBS Federal Council was excited by the quality and professionalism shown by all applicants for this award. Unfortunately a maximum of only two Australian applicants could be submitted to the WJB Secretary for consideration and after a close vote AJBS Federal Council was pleased to appoint Troy Mauger (Finley, NSW) and Tanya Allan-Privitera (Leongatha, VIC) as this region’s young ambassadors – Congratulations to all applicants!

DNA TESTING Federal Council supports the world wide move toward DNA testing by randomly selecting one animal every 500 registrations throughout the year for DNA testing. Aside from these Federally funded random tests members are reminded that ET donors and subsequent ET calves need to be DNA tested before calves can be registered. The AJBS preferred DNA test facility is University of Queensland please contact Jersey office for AJBS discount.

BULL MOTHERS A reminder that all bulls registered at AJBS must be from a classified dam.

CLASSIFICATION APPLICATION DEADLINE Members are reminded that applications for AJBS Classification Tour 1 need to be received by the Jersey House office by the advertised deadline. Calls requesting classification beyond the deadline will incur a late application fee of $100.

REGISTRATION PROCESSING Currently turnaround time for animal registrations is 3 – 5 working days, this period varies slightly throughout the year due to workload. Members requiring a faster turnaround ie. Show Entry deadline will be charged an emergency processing fee.

Federal Council President: Milton Johnston 118 Edinburgh Drive, Taree, NSW 2430 Telephone: (02) 6552 5915 Queensland Delegate: Graham Hoey 77 Warner Street, Warwick QLD 4370 Telephone: (07) 4661 4157 Western Australian Delegate: Don Fry Mitchell Rd, Benger, WA Telephone: (08) 9726 9226 katandra@geo.net.au

2

Hon.Treasurer & South Australian Delegate: Peter Ness PO Box 93, Mt Compass, SA 5210 Telephone: (08) 8556 8270 nyowee@activ8.net.au Secretary: Scott Joynson PO Box 292, Ascot Vale,Vic 3032 Telephone: (03) 9370 9105 jersey@jersey.com.au Tasmanian Delegate: Warren Dudfield 437 Nunns Road, Elliot, Tas 7325 Telephone: (03) 6438 1298

— JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Victorian Delegates: Trevor Saunders 495 Araluen Rd, Yarragon 3823 Telephone: (03) 5626 6373 saunders-day@dcsi.net.au Vice President Peter Farrell 605 Lemnos Road, Congupna,Vic 3633 Telephone: (03) 5829 9354 glenfernjerseys@bigpond.com AJBS Website: www.jersey.com.au

Nowell Jerseys Selling fresh, April 1 at the Northern Lights Sale

Nowell Jace Charisma

(Jace x 87pt Golden x 86 pt Berretta x 96pt BW Champs F-203) Winning Way Golden Charisma’s oldest and only Jace daughter

BW CHAMPS F-203 Ex 96. The 1995 All American Grand Champion and 3rd dam of Jace Charisma.

4-11 30170 6.5% 1951lbs 4.1% 1237lbs Noel and Karen Furze R.M.B. 2015 Huon Vic. 3695

Ph. (02) 60 273 603 Mob. 0418 257 030 nkfurze@bigpond.com Visit our Web Page for regular updates on what’s happening http://www.jersey.com.au/jweb/uploads/nowell/nowell_intro.html

Selling @ Northern Lights Sale April 1st MELDAN BROOKBI BABE ET The classy Brookbi daughter of Kaarmona Flowerpower Babe 5 ET

Meldan Brookbi Babe et

Kaarmona Flowerpower Babe 5 et

Bred to Valerian 06/02/08 for optional GAC bull contract, her two full sisters shall be bred to different bulls allowing the purchaser exclusive dealings with GAC. Brookbi Babe is destined to become a potential 6th generation bull dam. She placed first in her class at the Warragul Fair 07 and already has two maternal brothers at Genetics Australia. The previous 5 generations have an average top PI of 127. Brookbi x Flowerpower x Taranak 86pt x Berretta 91pt x Lester 91pt x Brigadier 91pt Brendan & Melissa Scott Email meldan9@bigpond.com webpage: www.jersey.com.au (member sites Meldan)

91 Bay rd Jam Jerrup Vic ph 03 59976334

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

3

New from Jerseyland in the USA… causing a real stir world wide… and do they milk!

BW

CARRIER

sire: Sunbow Rueben USDA 1/08:

dam: BW Avery Katie Ex93

Milk 1942 lbs

-0.12% +45 lbs Protein -0.22% +45lbs Fat 43 dtrs / 19 herds AJCA Type +1.9 20 Dtrs JPI 189

H The USA’s best new bull

dam: BW Avery Katie Ex93

H Semen available April

g-dam: BW Berretta Prize Ex94

Unit 11/85-91 Keilor Park Drive, Tullamarine VIC 3043 tel: 03 9330 3444 fax: 03 9330 3144 email: sales@4alta.com web: www.21stcenturygenetics.com.au

Willow Downs Dispersal Sale Thursday 27th March on Farm (Property Sold) Greg Robertson 289 Crescent Rd Simpson 3266 Approximately 130 head of quality young cows and heifers and 3 bulls, low BMCC and MNI. Tested 8 years - Negative. Also in the offering are 13 top line heifers of “IVANHOE” G. & D.L. Robertson Herd established in 1965 from the very best stud herds available.

Herd pregnancy tested in calf.

Willow Downs Merrymaid 9

Sire: PVBARBER VHC 90pts Championship winner at Numurkah Heytesbury and Tatura 2 daughters, son and grand daughter in sale

4

— JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Ivanhoe Linda 15 VHC 91pts Sire: Lester Sambo Top Dairy Cow of SWVAS shows 3 out of the last 4 years prize winner in milk - Melbourne Her progeny sells at sale

ABVS NOW

About ADHIS

SIMPLER TO USE

Using Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) will soon be much easier thanks to simpler measures for all non-production traits from April 2008.

While the production ABVs (such as kg protein) will stay the same, all other traits will be expressed as a percentage more or less than 100, where 100 represents the current industry average.

This will make it much simpler for dairy farmers to consider traits such as overall type, daughter fertility, liveweight, calving ease, survival and workability.

Daniel Abernethy, general manager of the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) said the new system is based around the industry average of 100, similar to the way cows are currently evaluated according to Production Index within a herd.

For example, an ABV for milking speed of 105 will mean that the milking speed of this bull’s daughters is 5% better than the breed average in Australia. An ABV of 92 would mean the bull’s daughters’ milking speed was 8% less than the breed average.

Pat Nicholson of Jugiong Jerseys is looking forward to using the new ABVs. As part of an extended family partnership, Pat is responsible for the breeding program for the 550-cow herd.

Pat’s bull selection decisions are largely based on milk production, udder traits, temperament and milking speed.

“I place a lot of emphasis on breeding values so I’ve spent many hours reviewing traits over the years,” he said.

Pat found interpreting breeding values quite complex with the old system because different traits

used different scales and negative values were desirable for some traits, but not for others.

“I’d find myself going back and rechecking the scale for a particular trait. The new system will make it much quicker and simpler to review bulls because most traits will work on the same scale,” he said.

ADHIS’ April ABV release will use this sytem for non-production ABVs. Daniel Abernethy said the new system had been developed following a workshop to discuss ways to make it easier for dairy farmers to select bulls to suit the breeding objectives of their businesses.

For more information contact Michelle Axford, ADHIS Project Leader, Genetics Learning Package, ph 0427 573 330 email maxford@adhis.com.au or www. adhis.com.au.

The Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) is an initiative of the Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) to assist genetic improvement in the dairy industry.

ADHIS maintains a national database of performance and pedigree details for individual dairy animals. The data base is used to generate Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) which indicate a cow or bull’s potential genetic merit (ie its breeding value to a dairy herd).

Genetic gain has increased significantly since 1983 when farmers began utilising ABVs. Each year the genetic merit of artificially bred cows is increasing by about 0.7%. The value of these gains to the industry is approximately $20 million per year. ADHIS is partly funded by farmer levies through Dairy Australia.

ABVs are produced for a variety of traits including milk yield and compostion, workability and survival as well as profitability.

Updated ABVs are released twice a year (April and August) for use by dairy farmers and artificial breeding companies.

ADHIS also releases ABV(i)s for foreign bulls three times per year (January, April and August).

Pat Nicholson is looking forward to the simpler Australian Breeding Values to be used in the April 2008 ABV release.

Media contact: This media release has been issued by Monks Communication on behalf of ADHIS. Contact Monks Communication for inquiries about photos and interviews or to have your contact details removed or updated on our distribution list: Lee-Ann Monks ph (07) 5450 0946 mob 0419 349 244 email: mediareleases@monkscom.com.au

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

5

Goulburn Murray Jersey Breeders Club President: Rohan Sprunt (03)58 269 506 Secretary: Brad Adams (03)5874 5388 • Thanks to all involved in organising the on farm challenge, Roger Heath and Robert Reid for judging, sponsor World Wide Sires and Russ Robins for the photo presentation.

• Australia’s number one supporter of JMS. • Great Southern Challenge Most Successful Club; 2000, 2003, 2004 & 2006.

• Congratulations to the Gilmour family on a fabulous herd dispersal.

• Looking for quality jersey cattle contact a GMJBC member advertising on this page!

• GMJBC would like to thank the Moira Shire for their contribution towards the OFC dinner through the Drought Health Promotion Funding program

6

GLENARRON JERSEYS Ron, Glenyss & Grant Baker 14 Hutchins Lane Katunga (03) 58646246 glenarron@origin.net.au

BERNBRAE JERSEYS McMillan Family Hawkers Rd Nathalia 3636 (03) 58641303

HOMELANDS JERSEYS Phil Hentschke & Warren Schutz 142 Youanmite Rd Invergordon 3636 (03) 58655171

VAMOS JERSEYS Kelly & Warren Barnett Amaroo Park Solly Rd Mathoura 2710 (03) 58843421 vamos@mcmedia.com.au

YENOLAM JERSEYS Neil, Wendy, Dick & Lyla 1119 Boals Rd Numurkah 3636 Ph (03) 58641064 Fax (03) 58641025 yenolam@iinet.net.au

YALCARA JERSEYS Peter & Lyn Sprunt RMB 2790 Katunga 3640 (03) 58732583 yalcara@cnl.com.au

LOXLEIGH JERSEYS Geoff Akers Victoria Rd Tallygaroopna 3634 (03) 58298478 geoffakers1@bigpond.com

FROGLANDS JERSEYS 51 Victoria Street Tallygaroopna 3634 (03) 5829 8339

GRAGLEN JERSEYS Graham, Glenys, Tim & Jon Pearce Kerrs Rd Tallygaroopna 3634 (03) 58298334 tpearce@mcmedia.com.au

KADDY JERSEYS Andrew Younger 50 Zeerust School Rd Zeerust 3634 (03) 58298352 motor@hisplace.net www.jersey.com.au/jweb/uploads/kaddy/kaddy_intro.html

WARRAIN JERSEYS John & Margaret Cockerell 1219 Rendells Rd Numurkah 3636 (03) 58641133 warrainjerseys@mcmedia. com.au

WAIANIWA JERSEYS Lindsay Hamilton 1045 Hawkers Rd Nathalia 3636 (03) 58641380

EARLDENE JERSEYS Dick & Barb Scoones 2720 Rendells Rd Numurkah 3636 (03) 58641205 rjscoones@dodo.com

GENTEEL JERSEYS Brad Adams 553B Mywee/Koonoomoo Rd Strathmerton 3641 (03) 58745388 genteeljerseys@hotmail.com

GLENFERN JERSEYS Peter & Bev Farrell 605 Lemnos Nth Rd Congupna 3633 (03) 58299354 glenfernjerseys@bigpond.com

KAARMONA JERSEYS Graeme & Robyn, Rohan & Claire Sprunt 228 & 235 Kaarimba Hall Rd Kaarimba 3635. (03) 58269506 kaarmona@bigpond.com

— JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Somersleigh

By Sue Webster RELUCTANT interviewee Ian Richards of SOMERSLEIGH Jerseys is nevertheless very forthcoming about the things that matter to the industry…. such as its future.

Ian, from Dumbalk said: “Something I’m passionate about is something we’ve started in the last 12 months; the Jersey research fund. I think in the future that’s one of the most important things we can do for the breed is to get research data to keep improving the breed.

“My ideal for the future is to increase the funds by holding an annual sale with animals donated to the cause, or a percentage of a sale donated to the fund.”

He already put his money where his mouth is. Along with other breeders, he has donated a cow and its sale proceeds have already gone to the fund.

“As a breed society we haven’t got unlimited funds to do these sorts of things,” he said. “I think the way ahead with the Jersey breed is to show we can compete against the Holstein Friesian for production. We know we’re getting the milk and maintaining the solids. We’re an economical breed that doesn’t need as much feed.

“At the moment scientists are researching cross breeding but, as a straight breed, we’re getting left out,” he said. “That’s why we’ve started up this research fund and I think that’s the way we’ve got to go.”

He sees the formation of Jersey Australia later this year as fundamental to that cause.

“At the moment we’re drip-feeding the research fund. But eventually with Jersey Australia - when it’s Australiawide - we should be able to hold a sale for that purpose. That’s what Jersey Australia can do to advance the cause.”

Ian, 55, supports the formation of the national body. “We all breed Australian Jerseys and Jersey Australia does away with state parochialism,” he said. “It also has one fee structure for all, which will benefit everyone.”

Ian is on the committee of Jersey Australia, following in the steps of his dad Lindsay who served on the committee in the 1980s.

“I was asked to go on the committee after the AGM. In South Gippsland.

It’s an interest and if no one puts in, things fall apart,” he said.

Ian is also a stalwart of the South Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club.

“My aim is to keep the club going to at least 2012, for the centenary

celebrations,” he said.

For the last six years he and his wife Joy have jointly served as the local club secretary. ”I am a great believer in the On Farm Challenge concept,” Ian said. “In our time as club secretary we have seen our number of head entered go from 90 to 243. This was achieved by encouraging the commercial Jersey breeders to enter and enjoy the experience with their cows. It has been a very rewarding adventure for all; enough to inspire some new members into our club and hopefully Jersey Australia.

“Actually, Joy does most of the secretarial work,” he confessed. “She runs the show.”

It turns out Joy, 52, also does a lot of work about the place. Apart from being the one with the computer skills, she shares the milking with Ian and their youngest son Justin and she rears about 45 calves a year – most destined as replacements.

The Richards normally run a Springcalving herd but last year responded to a larger drop by splitting the heifers and are now expecting an Autumn drop as well.

“We’ve split the calving for this year and may continue for a few years while the prices are high. With split

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

7

herds you have calves all the time and you don’t get much of a break,” he said.

They kept the herd at 220 milkers despite the harshest-ever drought the Richards had ever encountered.

Good luck and great contacts got them the supplementary feed they needed to keep herd numbers stable and cows well-conditioned. They sourced reject potatoes cheaply from a local grower, and bought three loads of hay.

“It was the first time ever we had to buy hay,” said Ian, who usually cuts up to 600 big round bales of silage and 200/300 big round bales of hay annually. “We sometimes put in peas for silage and sometimes sorghum or pea/oat mixture as summer crops, but we don’t do a lot of cropping.”

Their holding of 145ha plus a 32ha leased outblock is undulating to hilly blue gum country of grey soils and typically high rainfall. Last year was an exception and spurred the Richards to buy an effluent cart that they will use to recycle effluent from their twopond system.

“The property has seasonal creeks going through it plus a few springs but nothing you could rely on,” Ian said.

“We put in a 6ML dam recently and now if we run out of water we’d really be in trouble.”

He oversowed 100ha to annual and perennial pasture to counteract drought loss. At the moment he feeds what green pick there is with 2kg/ grain/cow/day plus ad lib silage, usually about five rolls/day.

He does not calculate his rotations to the day count but on a visual measure.

“I don’t chase high figures, but my

cows have to produce,” he said. “My philosophy is that the cows work for me, I don’t work for the cows.”

This philosophy has developed over three generations of Richards men farming this part of south Gippsland.

“My grandfather settled here after WWI and just had a mix of cows. My Dad liked the Jerseys and the both of them started up the SOMERSLEIGH Stud about 54 years ago,” said Ian. A Somerset-based family, they tried for that county as a breed name for their Large White Pig stud in the mid1930’s. Finding it taken, they chose something similar, SOMERSLEIGH and the name stuck.

“Dad started off with FRANCLIFF and GLENAVON cows and then he used cattle from the Bega Valley from Jim Salway’s GLENCRAIG stud and the Guthrie’s ELMGROVE cows.

“When Joy and I were married we bought some heifers off the TATARA stud of Graham Smith from Pyramid Hill. With his Ferdon NZ bloodline we started the NYLANDA stud of our own.”

Then they started to get involved in a sideline industry – hiring horse-drawn gypsy wagons. They initially offered the holiday wagons around Dumbalk but, finding the roads too busy, settled on a route through Turtons Creek to the Grand Ridge Road and Morwell River. They had 20 Clydesdales and built eight wagons and kept the business going for nearly 15 years while their dad and mum milked the cows.

But tourism can be seasonal. Ian said: “And after 15 years, in the end, it was hard being nice to the clients all the time. Dad was having trouble with his knees and it was getting to the stage

where we had to make a decision.”

They went back to dairying.

“But one thing was evident from running the wagons,” Ian said “To survive in any industry you must continually promote and put yourself out there. And I don’t mean just yourself … I’m talking about the industry as a whole. If everyone promoted the Jersey breed before all else, the Jersey breed would benefit and when the breed benefits so does everyone in it as well.”

The Richards still milk through their 30year-old 12 a side herringbone that Ian proudly announces “has nothing fancy to it. It’s just a basic dairy”.

He explained: “When you’re milking around 200 cows you don’t need the new age electronics if you know your cows and look after them.

This is especially so when you have the two of you working with an eye on the cows and you’re alert and observant.

“And the cows are well-behaved.

They’re pretty quiet and it’s routine for them. There’s nothing special about this herd.”

But there is. Ian has just returned from International Dairy Week having bought two-year-old HOMELANDS COUNTRY SILVERMINE. Also in the herd is another special cow - HOMELANDS LEGIONS SILVERMINE 2 bought at last year’s IDW by Ian’s 10-year-old grandson Peter who has adopted the NYLANDA name as his own prefix.

Ian and Joy’s kids have taken on jobs teaching and as mechanics, but grandson Peter is already a committed Jersey breeder.

“He’s really keen,” Ian said … and this time there was no reluctance in his voice!

2008 Nomination to Jersey Australia Inc. Board of Management

AJBS Federal Council has reached agreement and will now move toward its national restructure during 2008. The restructure will see the current organisation become Jersey Australia managed by a 10 member board of which seven board members will be nominated by current state branches to serve on the Jersey Australia board for a period of two years. The three vacant positions are to be elected by a national ballot in accordance with the approved Jersey Australia constitution.

Accordingly AJBS Federal Council calls for nominations to fill the (3) vacancies upon the Jersey Australia Board of Management for a two year term of office.

Nomination to the Jersey Australia Board of Management forms are available from Jersey House, PO Box 292 Ascot Vale 3032. By email jersey@jersey.com.au or by calling Jersey House directly on (03)93709105.

NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION TO JERSEY AUSTRALIA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT WILL CLOSE WEDNESDAY 16TH APRIL 2008 AT 5.00PM

8

— JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Brett’s family have been involved in dairying for over 40 years, so they were not surprised when he left school after completing Year 10 to begin working full-time onfarm. After working and gaining experience with three other dairy operators, Brett returned to the family farm to manage the Jersey herd in 2005.

le

Yo

ofi

P h r t u

“I like being outside and working with Jerseys, plus I find dairying to be a fairly relaxed lifestyle – and I knew I could never work in an office” Brett said.

Hindmarsh Jerseys is part of Brett’s family’s mixed farming enterprise, which is about an hour south of Adelaide.

While Brett’s father Jim concentrates on running the beef and sheep herds, Brett manages the dairy herd of 100 Jerseys. The dairy block is 90 acres, plus there is a 150acre run-off block. “Dad helps out a bit, and milks every second weekend, but I manage the herd and do all of the herd testing and data entry. I’m also responsible for doing the AI and bull selection” Brett said.

Chatting with

Brett Schutz

By Linda Houghton After flying into Melbourne Airport from Adelaide on

his way to the Great Southern Challenge final presentation in December, 21 year-old Brett was feeling a bit peckish and decided to have some breakfast before catching the bus to Rockbank.

However, it turned out to be a very expensive meal because he missed the bus by about 5 minutes, and had to take a taxi!

Being at the mercy of Melbourne’s notoriously difficult and dodgy airport taxi drivers is always risky business at the best of times, but luck was on Brett’s side, as he met with a rare beast at the taxi rank - an honest and helpful driver, who not only knew where Rockbank was, but took him there by the quickest route. “It cost me about $50, which I thought was pretty reasonable - I just had to get there, so it could have turned out a lot worse” Brett said.

The Schutz family’s cow ‘Hindmarsh Ginger Four’ was representing South Australia in the 4 Year Old Class. Brett was very pleased and proud to have a cow in the finals.

“I really like the On-Farm Challenge format, and we will keep entering our cows, as it’s a great showcase. You compete against a much larger field of cows than in the show-ring, and you get the chance to see how your cows measure-up against the others. I had a great time at the dinner, and got to see good quality cows and to meet other breeders ” Brett said.

Thankfully, Brett didn’t have to spend another $50 to return to the airport, with Scott Joynson giving him a lift back the airport. “I had to get home that night, as I had to milk in the morning” Brett said.

This years dry and unusual weather conditions have been felt at Hindmarsh as well. “While this years rainfalls were at normal levels, it didn’t fall in the usual pattern - we got the rain, but it came at the wrong time. As a result, we grew and produced much less fodder this year, and it was a poorer quality – it made things pretty hard” Brett said.

Despite the recent conditions, Brett remains quietly confident that the industry has a good future. “I went to IDW this year, and thought that the outlook from most farmers was a lot more positive than last year. It was a great experience, and there were heaps of great animals to look at” Brett said.

Brett started showing Hindmarsh Jerseys in 2005, doing most of the work himself – with a mate helping out with the clipping. Every year he takes a small team of 3 – 6 cows to the Royal Adelaide Show and other country shows. “It’s a lot of fun, and I have picked up a few champion ribbons at the local shows, and placings at Adelaide. As I breed better cows, I would like to take a few to the interstate shows as well” Brett said.

“My favourite cow in the herd is ‘Hindmarsh Mellow 2nd’ – she is a four year old, and very well put together. She did well at some shows, winning Junior Champion at the Mt. Pleasant show, and she is currently in calf to ‘Futurity’ and I’m really looking forward to seeing the result” Brett said.

Bulls that Brett is currently using for the Hindmarsh herd are ‘Valerian’, ‘Iotola’ and ‘Vindication.’ “I am happy with the performance of these bulls so far, and it’s always exciting to see the calves arrive after so much time and thought is put into the bull selection process” Brett said.

And as for the future, Brett enjoys dairying and is keen to continue farming, “One day I would like to have my own place, but I am also aware of how hard it is for young people to break into the industry. In the meantime, I am going to concentrate on learning as much as I can, and to build-up my herd numbers. Down the track, I might look at a share-farming arrangement as another step to farm ownership” Brett said.

On his weekends off, Brett enjoys a game of tennis with the local team and hanging out with his friends.

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

9

Somerhill Jerseys - no idle whim

by Sue Webster Julie Clippingdale’s urge to breed purebred jersey cows is not just an idle whim. She doesn’t need a hobby.

There’s a bright-yellow 1925 Fiat she’s restoring in her spare time.

And a 1954 Wolseley in the shed, too.

And her husband Joe is working on a 1916 Willys alongside a 1917 Overland.

In fact, it’s hard to believe this Tasmanian pair has actually got time to run their Western Creek dairy farm and breed up their stud jerseys.

But Julie, 56 has decided to put a value-added edge on their herd of 130 to 135 Jerseys. They normally rear about 30 replacement calves and last winter they calved down their first purebreds through genetic recovery.

Joe said: “Julie is interested in stud.

She’s got all the records back to 1963. She decided a few years ago that she wanted to register them, she thought it would make the herd worth more.

“Me? I’m just a commercial dairy farmer.”

But even a commercial dairy farmer can see the value in strong Jersey performers. For Joe, Jerseys provided the return he and Julie needed to raise a family of three from a lowinput family farm.

They started with Jersey bulls from Neil Brock and then, in 1968 started using AI over their 25-strong herd of Illawarra/Dairy shorthorn/Jersey mixture.

“CORRAVILLE GOLD TASMAN and CORRAVILLE GOLD PRINCE had a

huge effect on our pretty ordinary herd,” he said. “Since then, the ones that have done most have been GRANTON RED DANTE and MERRIVALE SENATOR, they gave us phenomenal yields and type – bigger and stronger cows with a lovely temperament.

“I’m very hot on temperament. That’s my number one choice … remember, I’m a commercial dairy farmer!”

More recently the Clippingdales have fancied TE RATTA MAGIC FLIER and PASPALUM PERCY ACE as they continue their quest for “good temperament cows of a reasonable size, but mostly one where we can make money out of them,” said Joe. Spoken like the son of an accountant … which he is.

Joe’s dad, Tim, started life crunching figures in London.

“He was a chronic asthmatic and the doctor told him to move somewhere with a better climate,” said Joe. “But actually, we reckon he was one of the world’s first alternative lifestylers.

“He emigrated with eight kids and set up an orchard and milked some cows at Glengarry. He started life with Illawarras but then came to the conclusion that Jerseys treated him better.”

For about 10 years he supplied a brand of unpasteurised cream called Maryland to Launceston delicatessen until mid 60s. “But then the big milk companies started up and they ran him out of business.”

He concentrated instead on his orchards and eventually sold the property to Joe and Julie in 1972, a year after their marriage, along with the 11 cows on the place.

The young couple grubbed out the fruit trees and expanded the herd to 90 animals before selling up 17 years ago and moving to their current farm south of Deloraine in foothills of the Western Tiers.

“On a plateau,” Joe laughed.

“Among all these hills.”

The underlying soils are brokendown shale and mudstone. The topsoil is very shallow but very fertile.

“Phenomenal, but chronically deficient in magnesium and cobalt,” said Joe. “We discovered this when we moved our heifers onto here and realised they were all going pale and we

10 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

couldn’t find out why.”

Soil and blood tests revealed the trace element deficiencies, along with a lack of selenium. Liming the soil, however, has unlocked the selenium, he added.

He still regularly conducts soil and blood tests. “Because I’m too mean,” he said. “I don’t like spending money on fertiliser I don’t need.”

The couple milk off the 101ha cleared out of a total 133 dryland ha.

They direct pump effluent through a travelling irrigator that covers about 25% of the farm. The steepness of the hills and the type of soils prevents them from building dams and effluent ponds.

The area receives an average 1200mm rain/year although last year received only 540mm … “and at the wrong time of year,” Joe added.

However, he is not convinced that we’re destined for the everlasting climate change.

“I’ve lived though drought in my time and I don’t believe this is a climate change,” said the 58-year-old. “It’s not something new.”

The series of recent dry years have knocked about his perennial ryegrass pastures.

“We could grow more grass on the place,” he said. “We’ve started sodseeding ryegrass to boost winter feed but we’re going to have to do more sod seed because pastures are not performing as well as they were.”

Rotations varied from 25-26 days in spring to 120 days last summer, grazing to three-leaf stage.

The pastures include some sub and white clover but the standout performer was cocksfoot which appeared to have withstood the dry well.

The farm usually cuts 200 to 250 tonnes of pasture silage, around 200 big rounds of hay and Joe adds about 50 big bales of barley straw for roughage. He also feeds about 0.5 tonne grain cow/year.

The response over a 263-day lactation averages at 224kg fat at 5.41% and 165kg protein at 3.98% with an average yield of 4160 litres.

There’s the occasional bout of milk fever but one surprising herd health upside – amid all those hills – are good

feet. “The laneways are gravelled with local shale gravel which has very high clay content and which is really soft on feet … but it’s twitchy on the motorbike when it’s wet,” said Joe. The original family farm was in a lowrainfall area. “When we were building up the herd we initially bought some Holstein Friesians. We thought we’d change over from dad and in that first year we had a drought. We got hit by a very dry summer and the Jerseys kept milking and the Holstein Friesians didn’t.”

Even when they moved to the higher-rainfall area, and despite people warning them that the cold would make them switch breeds, the Clippingdales stuck with the Jerseys.

“People said: ‘It’s so cold out here you won’t run Jerseys out there’. But we found big farms running Jersey here and we’ve had no reason to change.

They’ve provided the income for the family,” Joe said.

The family comprises agronomist daughter Brigid and her husband who have just bought a 95ha dairy farm up the coast and another daughter Elizabeth who is a laboratory QA technician with TasAlkaloids … and whose mother-in-law has just bought an ex-dairy farm.

The Clippingdale’s son Andrew is back on the farm and working part-time alongside his parents in the 12-unit swingover 45-degree herringbone.

“He’s a medical research scientist

with more letters behind his name than I’ve got in mine. He was working in Melbourne and living in Geelong and he came to the conclusion that he had no lifestyle. Then he went sillier than his father; he phoned up out of the blue and asked if he could come back dairying.

“Well … you could have knocked us over with a feather,” said Joe. “But he and his wife and kids are very happy with the change.”

Joe added: “One way or another my kids are coming back to farming.

They shouldn’t have as tough a time as us. They’ve all got viable farms and they’ve all got university degrees and I’m proud to have been able to educate them to leave the farm.

Coming back is their choice.”

NATIONAL FOODS GREAT NORTHERN JERSEY CHALLENGE 2007

By Darren Grevett This year’s judge of the Great Northern Challenge was David Mayo of Semex Australia. David who is world renowned for his expert cattle knowledge, travelled over 2000km to view his regional champions from 5 New South Wales Jersey Clubs, (Far North Coast, Beautizone, Manning District, Hunter Valley, Cumberland & Southern Jersey Clubs), and 3 Queensland clubs, (Downs, South East Queensland and Sunshine Coast Jersey Cattle Clubs). David Was very impressed with the standard of cattle he judge and the closeness between his Champions. Congratulations to all the regional club Champion winners, and a big Congratulations to the eventual Great Northern Challenge Champions.

On behalf of the Queensland & New South Wales Jersey Club Sub Branches a special thanks goes to the Judge David Mayo, and to the events major sponsors National Foods & Semex Australia. Without their involvement Jersey cattle breeders from QLD & NSW wouldn’t have the opportunity to compete against other cattle from across the border whilst still grazing in their own paddocks and keep a little enthusiasm amongst breeders in an ever shrinking industry. National foods generous donation of $1000 dollars was divided amongst this years Champions, a reward much deserved.

We thank National foods for their involvement in this years Great Northern Jersey challenge and look forward to their continuing support.

Juvenile Champion Heifer Class Great Northern Champion Juvenile Heifer Kenarie Spot O’Whisky Owned by Pat MacDonald, Murwillumbah.

Great Northern Reserve Champion Juvenile Heifer Owned by P N & M E Bannon Belmore River via Gladstone Honourable Mention Shirlinn Icy Eve 2nd Owned by Wilson Family Tamworth

Intermediate Champion Cow Class Great Northern Intermediate Champion Cow Glen Echo Saratoga Maiden Owned by J M & CR Parker Kenilworth Great Northern Reserve Champion Intermediate Cow Ascot Park Brasso’s Elaine Owned by SG & JA McCarthy Greenmount Honourable Mention Sunnycrest Country Delvene Owned by PJ & F Singleton Deervale via Dorrigo.

Champion Cow Class Great Northern Champion Cow Silverlie Stars Lilac Owned by Wilson Family Tamworth Great Northern Reserve Champion Cow Glen Echo Blue Moon Megan Owned by JM & CR Parker Kenilworth Honourable Mention Brunchilli Sambo Marcia Owned by S Menzies & H Boyd

Great Northern Best Uddered Cow Glen Echo Blue Moon Megan Owned by JM & CR Parker Kenilworth Reserve Best Udder Brunchilli S Eileen Owned by AD & W Barron Cambooya

National Foods & Semex On Farm Challenge Results Darling Downs Judge Kevin Smith Champion Cow: Brunchilli S Eileen W & A Barron Reserve Champion Cow: Plainview Finale Barbeeka – Gianna Kelly Junior Champion: Ascot Park Brazos Elaine – S & J McCarthy Reserve Junior Champion: Kathleigh Hallmark Dream – A & C Kath Juvenile Champion: Ascot Park Badgers Dairymaid – S & J McCarthy Reserve Juvenile Champion: Ascot Park Rockets Forgetmenot – S & J McCarthy Best Udder: Brunchilli S Eileen – W & A Barron

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

11

Sunshine Coast Judge Ray Zerner Champion Cow: Glen Echo Blue Moon Megan JM & CR Parker Kenilworth Junior Champion: Glen Echo Saratoga Maiden JM & CR Parker Kenilworth Juvenile Champion: Glen Echo Blue Moon MeganJM & CR Parker Kenilworth Beaudesert Judge Stuart Ashton Champion Cow: Fernybank Astound Bonnie LP & DA Dunne Junior Champion: Fernybank Astound Elaine LP & DA Dunne Juvenile Champion: Justinvale Jace Little VictoryJustin Wensel Best Udder: Fernybank Astound Elaine LP & DA Dunne

Northern Rivers NSW Judge Graham Hoey Champion Cow: Kenarie Spotless Floss – P & P McDonald Reserve Champion Cow: Kenarie Faithful Sparkle P & P McDonald Junior Champion: Fairbrae Barbers Satisfaction J & B Hewett & J & B Denniston Reserve Junior Champion: Fairbrae Dinahs Irene J & B Hewett & J & B Denniston Juvenile Champion: Denarie Spot O Whisky P & P McDonald

Reserve Juvenile Champion: Wihelen Connection Tina W & H McDermodtt Best Udder: Kenarie Spotless Floss - P & P McDonald

Senior Champion Cow

Intermediate Champion

Junior Champion

Overseas Judge Bonus Cash Awards in addition to usual prizes 50 + Jersey entries required for Feature Breed Awards Further Information Contact: R.A. & H.S. of S.A. on Tel: (08) 8210 5211

12 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Jenny Dale Jerseys No Stranger to Awards

By Sue Webster Noel and Mavis Bannon enjoyed a rare honour late last year, winning On-Farm Challenge titles in two club areas.

The couple who run the Jenny Dale Jersey stud at Belmore River are on the border of the Dorrigo/ Nambucca and the Taree clubs.

They entered cows in both and scored wins in both – Jenny Dale Bie Sybil winning the first and Jenny Dale Princes Sybil claiming the honours at Taree.

David Mayo, who did the overall Great Northern On-Farm judging in December eventually awarded the title Reserve Champion Juvenile Heifer to Jenny Dale Bie Sybil.

It was the best On-Farm result the Bannons had ever enjoyed.

Not that the couple are strangers to awards. In 10 years of the Norco Champion Cow award at the Kempsey show, they won it nine times.

“We started showing cattle when we started the stud in 1951. Jenny was named after our first daughter, born in April 1951 and I bought my first registered Jersey the next month. Dale? No, there was no reason for Dale,” Noel laughed.

“When the children had grown up and educated I told Mavis that I’d like to win champion cow at Kempsey and she said ‘you’d better get cracking, then’, so I started showing again.”

Has won Supreme Cow at every show between Wingham and Macksville - except Taree - and has also shown at Primex with minor wins.

At International Dairy Week in 1990 they scored honourable mention in Juvenile Champion Heifer class with Jenny Dale J Iris. Other notable successes were Jenny Dale Gian, which twice won Supreme Cow at Wingham, and Jenny Dale JK

Sybil which was named supreme three times at Wauchope. One of her daughters was named Junior Supreme and another daughter was Supreme Udder at Wauchope Show.

He likes to share the bloodlines around. “At one show there was a little boy, Tommy Trisley aged only about three. He was leading some calves but didn’t want to home without a yellow calf with a rope around its neck. His family were Holstein Friesian people but they came up and asked if I would sell him a good calf to show. I waited until I had a good calf and phoned them – his birthday was only a week away,” Noel recalled. “That calf went on to win Supreme Dairy Animal of Coffs Harbour show.”

Although none of his five children are taking on the business, the legacy of the Jenny Dale Jersey study will continue for years – linking the future to a long-ago past.

Noel recalled: “Our original family farm at Belmore River was only 18 acres. My grandfather bought it in 1860 and reared 11 children on it.

In those days you had to pay cash for property and he paid a guinea an acre. There were two blocks offered but he could only afford one.”

Many years later, in 1983, Noel was able to buy that second block of land and consolidated it back to the family farm.

In between the couple, who married in 1949, sharefarmed – originally on flat, flood-prone land at Austral Eden. “There was a new house being built above the floodline but it wasn’t ready,” Noel said. The newly-weds, and their brand new furniture, moved into the old house on the property.

Within months the floods arrived.

The police gave us 15 minutes to get out of the place, so we stacked the glory box up high and put the animals up on the washtub. A pup jumped out of the wash tub and drowned but the dozen chickens survived.”

They went on to buy their first farm, of 60 acres in 1953. “After that we were in 37 floods!”

Noel continued: “I started off with Guernseys but didn’t have much

luck with them. I went to Illawarras and then swapped to Jerseys and then I traded the rest off for more Jerseys,” he said.

Working initially for the O’Sullivans Pee Dee Jersey stud, he accumulated some of their cows bought from Watson Hewett’s Ellerdale stud, and some from the Hammonds at Rosecliff, Bellingen.

When the O’Sullivans gave up registering their herd, Noel swapped cows and augmented his herd with some stock bought from Bill Daly at Wauchope.

In time he was milking up to 60 animals, carrying no young stock, and building up his land and his animals to the herd of 120 head that he sold off in October 2004 when ill-health forced him to stop milking. The milkers were sold to the Queensland Meadow Farm, Mount Tampa stud while Noel and Mavis kept some breeding stock, together with some beef cattle, on their remaining land.

They use AI bulls such as ASTOUND and BIESTAR and have also bought some BUSHLEA BROOK BIESTAR heifers.

Noel knows what he wants from his cows: “Good quality, good temperament and good production. We didn’t make a living out of selling cattle, we made a living out of milking cows,” he said. The welter of wins must surely be the icing on the cake for the Bannons.

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

13

International Dairy Week 2008 Results Judge Mrs. Alta Mae Core, USA Class 1 - Castlegate VGS Heifer born on or after 1/7/07 1. Brunchilli Comerica Sara Boyd Family, Finley, NSW 2. Topshelf Imperial Charo Lauren J Norman Blighty NSW 3. Cairnbrae Signature Daisy 3 A&J Carson, Irrewillipe East, VIC Class 2 - Keenan Heifer born 1/1/07 to 30/06/07 Alta Mae, Core USA judge at IDW 2008 with exhibitor Keith Kuhne, Leongatha and 1. Stoneleigh Park RBR Belle AJBS Federal President Milton Johnston, Burnett Family, Merrigum, VIC Taree, NSW. Handler Cameron Bawden, 2. Brunchilli Jura Loretta Launceston, Tasmania with the Grand Boyd Family, Finley, NSW champion Jersey exhibit.

3. Moonyah Blair Morgana Moonyah Jerseys, Rochester, VIC

Reserve Senior Champion Cow at IDW 2008,with Judge Alta Mae Core, USA and Ross Easterbrook, Tatura. Semex representative David Mayo takes part in the presentation.

Champion Jersey Cow with judge Alta Mae Core, USA owner Keith Kuhne, Leongatha, Victoria is thrilled with the win with Cameron Bawden, Launceston, Tasmania at the halter.

Class 3 - Australian Jersey Society Heifer born 1/7/06 to 31/12/06 1. A-L-T Belles Chanel Templeton & Thompson, Meeniyan, VIC 2. Ingalala Kody Romance Brad Gavenlock, Berry, NSW 3. Riverside Barbs Signature Ginger Riverside Jerseys, Nirranda, VIC

Regional Development Victoria Junior Champion 1. A-L-T Belles Chanel Templeton & Thompson, Meeniyan, VIC 2. Jamber Jade Lady Robert Wilson, Jamberoo, NSW Class 6 - Kuhn Heifer, Dry born 1/1/04 to 30/6/05 1. Homelands Jaces Silvermine3 P Hentschke & W Schutz, Invergordon, VIC 2. Homelands Extreme Silvermine4 P Hentschke & W Schutz, Invergordon, VIC 3. Kaarmona Parade Babe 3 GC&RG Sprunt, Kaarimba, VIC Class 7 - Tatura Milk Industries Cow, Dry born prior to 1/1/04 1. Lynbrae Dorothy 246 Collins Farms, Yinnar, VIC 2. Homelands Extreme Opal P Hentschke & W Schutz, Invergordon, VIC 3. Buffel Vale Hollys Eve 390 PJ&R&AS Ibbott, Finley, NSW

Class 4 - Total Livestock Genetics Heifer, Dry born 1/1/06 to 30/6/06 1. Jamber Jade Lady Robert Wilson, Jamberoo, NSW 2. Buffel Vale Signature Molly PJ&R&AS Ibbott, Finley, NSW 3. Buffel Vale Sen Primrose PJ&R&AS Ibbott, Finley, NSW Class 5 - Crazy Cow Heifer, Dry born 1/7/05 to 31/12/05 1. Ingalala Astound Janette Brad Gavenlock, Berry, NSW 2. Homelands Royal Grace P Hentschke & W Schutz, Brian Leslie, Elders, with the Intermediate Invergordon, VIC Champion handler sash won by Andrew Cullen, Gerrigong, NSW at 3. Glencraig Prince Mistletoe 4542 IDW 2008 youth show.

SC Salway, Bemboka, NSW

14 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

IDW 2008 Results Class 8 - Agri-Gene Heifer, 2yrs in Milk, born 1/7/05 to 30/6/06 1. Brunchilli Sambo Priscilla 2 Boyd Family, Finley, NSW 2. Kings Ville Canary 23 Rob & Kerrie Anderson, Drouin West, VIC 3. Jugiong Daisymae 5225 W&P Nicholson & Family, Girgarre, VIC Class 9 - Australian Jersey Society Heifer, 2 ½yrs in Milk, born 1/1/05 to 30/6/05 1. Kings Vale Kody Bonita P&L Mumford, Won Wron, VIC 2. Broadlin Bubbles 2344 Lynton & Lisa Broad, Lockington, VIC 3. Rowantree Mega Babs Rowantree Jerseys, Jerilderie, NSW Class 10 - Maxum Performance Australia - Cow, 3yrs in Milk, born 1/7/04 to 31/12/04 1. Bushlea Conn Maybell Bushlea Farms, Leongatha, VIC 2. Kaarmona Parade Babe 2 GC&RG Sprunt, Kaarimba, VIC 3. Brunchilli BC Eileen Boyd Family, Finley, NSW Class 11 - BOS Trading Cow, Senior 3 in Milk, born 1/1/04 to 30/6/04 1. Riverside Rennaissance Ivy 2 Riverside Jerseys, Nirranda, VIC 2. Wallacedale Willows Belle C&M&L&M Wallace, Poowong North, VIC 3. Stenstone Dawn 494 GJ&LK Emmett, Stanhope, VIC Elders LTD - Intermediate Champion 1. Riverside Rennaissance Ivy 2 Riverside Jerseys, Nirranda, VIC 2. Bushlea Conn Maybell Bushlea Farms, Leongatha, VIC

IDW 2008 had a magnificent line up in the 7 years in milk class, with Alta Mae Core USA shot here making her final decision.

Class 12 - Genetics Australia Cow, 4yrs in Milk, born 1/7/03 to 31/12/03 1. Bushlea Golden Fernleaf Bushlea Farms, Leongatha, VIC 2. Sherron Golden Rose Erin Ferguson, Toolamba, VIC 3. Wallacedale Sambo Buttercup C&M&L&M Wallace, Poowong North, VIC Class 13 - World Wide Sires Cow, 5yrs in Milk, born 1/7/02 to 30/6/03 1. Brunchilli S Noelene Boyd & Easterbrook, Finley, NSW 2. Jugiong Ilagay 4712 W&P Nicholson & Family, Girgarre, NSW 3. Hazel Vale Prize Benita Jason Hayes, Moss Vale, NSW Class 14 - ABS Australia Cow, 6yrs in Milk, born 1/7/01 to 30/6/02 1. Brunchilli J Passon Boyd Family, Finley, NSW 2. Brooklyn Farm Judes Tiney Brad Gavenlock, Berry, NSW 3. Kaarmona Lemvig Marie GC&RG Sprunt, Kaarimba, VIC Class 15 – 21st Century Genetics Cow, 7yrs & over in Milk, born prior to 1/7/01 1. Bushlea Lester Iris 9 Bushlea Farms, Leongatha, VIC 2. Silverlie Stars Lilac Todd Wilson, Tamworth, NSW 3. Brunchilli EV Priscilla Boyd Family, Finley, NSW

Reserve Champion Intermediate Cow being sashed by Brian Leslie held by Cameron Bawden with judge Alta Mae Core, USA.

Intermediate Champion Cow at IDW 2008 with the very proud owners, Corey and Karin Couch, Riverside Jersey stud, Nirranda.

Reserve Champion Jersey Heifer being sashed by Jacinta Allan minister for regional and rural development Victoria along with Andrew Cullen Gerringong, NSW and judge Alta Mae Core.

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

15

Class 16 - The Australian Dairyfarmer - Best Udder 1. Bushlea Lester Iris 9 Bushlea Farms, Leongatha, VIC

Supreme Champion Jersey Exhibit 1. Bushlea Lester Iris 9 Bushlea Farms, Leongatha, VIC

Class 17 - Regional Development Victoria Pen of three females owned by the Exhibitor 1. Bushlea Farms, Leongatha, VIC 2. Boyd Family, Finley, NSW 3. R&H&G Akers, Tallygaroopna VIC

IDW Premier Breeder Boyd Family, Finley NSW IDW Premier Exhibitor Boyd Family, Finely NSW

Class 18 - Commonwealth Bank Agribusiness Shepparton Cow & Daughter or Two Daughters of same Dam 1. Boyd Family, Finley, NSW 2. R&H&G Akers, Tallygaroopna, VIC 3. P Hentschke & W Schutz, Invergordon, VIC

Best Udder at IDW held by Cameron Baden, Launceston, Tasmania with judge Alta Mae Core, USA and Peter Roach from Australian Dairyfarmer.

Former Australian test bowler Glen McGrath representing the Cancer Council presenting the award for the youth show junior leader to Andrew Pacitti, Myponga, Sth Australia.

Semex Australia - Champion Cow 1. Bushlea Lester Iris 9 Bushlea Farms, Leongatha, VIC 2. Brunchilli S Noelene Boyd & Easterbrook, Finley, NSW

Shenstone Jerseys The Emmett Family

By Linda Houghton The 2007 Great Southern Challenge (GSC) was the first competition that Gordon and Lyn Emmett of Shenstone Jerseys had entered since 1986, when Shenstone Linda 258 won Champion Cow and Dairy Cow at the Royal Melbourne Show.

After taking over the running of the farm in 1987, the Emmetts had been just too busy to think about competing, until recently.

“Last year, we thought the on-

farm challenge offered a chance for us to ‘dip our toes in’ and try competing again.

Shenstone Dawn 494 went on to win her 3year-old class at our local club level, and also came second in the GSC, which we were really pleased about. I thought it would be an interesting experience, and I now believe that the scoring system used is a fair measure; it identifies the real ‘milk machines’ out there. It is very different to that of the show-ring, where the personal preferences of the judges influence the outcome. I also liked seeing the photos of

16 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

the other cows, and not having to travel to participate was a huge bonus. After the challenge, Pat Nicholson took our cow to IDW for us, where she got 3rd in her class” Gordon said.

Shenstone is a 172-acre farm located at Stanhope in Victoria, and it has a rich history stretching back to 1919. Today, the Emmetts are focussing on installing pipes and risers to assist with irrigation, and coping with the tough conditions.

“One of the best decisions we made was to hang onto the heifers during the

Bushlea Success I.D.W. 2008 Since 2000 Bushlea has never returned home without winning an In Milk Class.

This years 3 winners equals our best

Bushlea Lester Iris 9 VHC 92

52Mn 9074 298 3.3 426 4.7 P.I. 112 1st cow 7 years and over in milk 1st Vessel in class Champion Vessel of Show Senior and Supreme Champion Headed the winning pen of 3 cows

Bushlea Conn Maybell 88pts

1st Class calving at 32Mn P.I.107 145days Sire: G.B. Connection Dam: Bushlea Brook Maybell Sup. Ex 94 Supreme Champion I.D.W. 2004 & 2007 1st 3 Years in Milk 1st Vessel in Class Res Intermediate Champion

Bushlea Golden Fernleaf VHC 90

25Mn 5251 189 3.6 269 5.1 P.I.88 Sire: Golden Dam: Bushlea Astound Fernleaf VHC90 74Mn 8600 295 3.4 373 4.3 P.I.115 1st 4yrs In mIlk 1st Vessel in Class

NEXT ON FARM SALE AUTUMN 2009

Planning for this event started straight after our 60/60 sale in October 2005.

A feature of the sale is that the Dam of every animal to be catalogued is classified 90pts or better.

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

17

drought. We wouldn’t sell them for less than what they were worth, so we kept them, and now 60 of them are in our herd of 175 today.

We got by with some heifers going on agistment to Colac, and then through buying in as much feed as we could, securing some fodder from an old school friend of mine at mates-rates” Gordon said.

Gordon also sought help from a Southern Stock Feeds nutritionist, and has seen the benefits of using their advice and encourages others to try it. “I was having trouble keeping the cows on the grain, and swapped to feeding pellets with all of the nutrients added.

Production soared, increasing by 5 litres per cow, per day – averaged for the entire year. The pellets cost a bit more, but paid huge dividends. It is important to get the right balance of nutrients,” Gordon said.

farm, after many years of Gordon and Lyn getting by with using contractors and relief milkers to take a few weeks off now and again.

“I think we need to do everything we can to encourage young people into the industry.

At present, there are a lot of keen young people out there showing cows, and learning the ropes.

We need to retain their interest in farming, but it is so difficult for them to get a start in the industry.

Hopefully, the strong prices will continue and enable more young farmers to get a toe-hold” Gordon said.

creating a quality product and getting a fair price. As for us, we will just continue to strive to be as productive, and to continue to breed the best milking cows that we can. Lyn and I are also looking forward to stepping back a bit in the near future too” Gordon said.

Meanwhile, Lyn has been busy shaking things up off-farm.

Two years ago, the Stanhope community was undergoing some tough times due to the continuing drought conditions and other issues common to small rural towns, and there was a public meeting held to discuss how the town might get back on its feet. Lyn Emmett went along to the meeting, and growing tired of the ‘doom and gloom’ predictions, suggested that the town needed a café or a wine-bar – something offering hospitality to give everyone a lift, and to encourage visitors and business.

The dairy is a 16 aside swing-over, “When no-one and for the past else came forward three years, the to do it – I decided herd has been splitto do it, as I was calved over three a bit tired of doing periods per year, for two the farm bookwork or three weeks in March anyway. And so for the and May/June and then for six past two years I have owned weeks in August/September. and operated Lynz Bar/Café “It’s working quite well, I think in Stanhope” Lyn said. Lynz’ Gordon and Craig Emmett during it spreads the workload and sells local wines and cheeses the judging of the 2007 Great Southern Challenge the income more consistently as well as offering meals and throughout the year. Also, you “The dairy industry has also got to snacks, and currently employs four don’t have to worry about getting be able to afford to pay decent people. all of the herd in calf at the same wages to keep young people time, which is always a difficult interested and feeling valued. In June this year, Gordon and Lyn task” Gordon said.

Otherwise we will continue to will head off to the UK for a month, lose them to other sources of to spend some time with their This is another sons: Scott, who is a civil structural Gordon selects the bulls based employment. on production figures (by milk) important issue linked to the engineer in London, and also to and workability, and does the continuation of strong prices, so meet up with Marcus, a school AI. “For the past two years I have farmers can pay their staff well teacher who is currently overseas. mostly used ‘Finale’, ‘Astound’ and retain them” Gordon said.

A bit of time in France and Italy ‘Megastar’ and ‘Flowerpower’ is on the cards too, to kick back with good results”.

“I believe the outlook for the and take in the wine, cuisine and industry is positive, at last demand art. While all of this is going on, The Emmett’s youngest son Craig has exceeded supply, and the youngest son Craig will be holding has recently returned to the family strengthening of the Asian market the fort back at Stanhope - he farm, after trying out university is very encouraging. However, has already enjoyed a 3-month and deciding it wasn’t for him. weather patterns and water supply overseas trip last year.

Craig now works fulltime on the will continue to be a challenge to

18 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Three-year-old “babe” wins

GREAT SOUTHERN CHALLENGE

By Jim Lindsay A three-year-old “babe” has been named Grand Champion in the 2007 Semex-Jersey Australia Great Southern Challenge, the largest judging competition for Jersey cattle in the southern hemisphere.

Kaarmona Parade Babe 2 VHC93, entered by the Sprunt family of Kaarmona Jerseys, Wunghnu, earned the accolade ahead of 1600 other entries from throughout Victoria, southern NSW, south-east South Australia and Tasmania.

Brothers Graeme and Rohan Sprunt milk about 250 cows between Numurkah and Shepparton. A delighted Rohan Sprunt said his family was privileged to receive this award. “We are really proud of this cow,” he said.

“Babe 2 was placed second to a herd mate in the 18–24 month milk class at International Dairy Week this year and she was also second to another herd mate in last year’s on-farm challenge. She has stood in the shadows for a long time so she’s finally had her day.”

Mr Sprunt said Parade Babe 2 produced 6,992 litres at 4.1% fat (285kg) and 3.6% protein (252kg) over 290 days on her first lactation last year. “This year, she has already produced nearly 3,500 litres after 115 days and has a PI of 110,” he said.

“Her sire, BW Parade, has done an outstanding job in this herd. We have four of his daughters entered in International Dairy Week next January. Her dam is Kaarmona Mannix Babe 7th HC87.

“Her grandam, Kaarmona Lesters Babe VHC91, has produced three Very Highly Commended daughters and two sons, including Kaarmona Bhama, the sire of this year’s Great Southern Challenge Mature Champion. Semex has sampled two sons from her full sister, Lesters Babe 2 SUP93, in Australia and New Zealand.”

The great grandam is Bie BB Babe VHC 91 EX. “We bought BB Babe at IDW in 1993 for $7200 and she has had an enormous impact on our herd,” Mr Sprunt said.

“All told, about 40 percent of our herd goes directly back to her. She has 22 daughters with an average 88 points and 14 are classified Very Highly Commended. Six sons have been progeny tested.

“Babe’s dam was imported as a

live animal from the USA in the late 1980s by the Bie Syndicate. We are just about to complete the circle by exporting embryos from Parade Babe 3 back to the USA.” Judge, Jim Parker of Venoma Jerseys, Irrewillipe, said Babe 2 was the “stand out” winner in an outstanding class. “She really is the complete package,” he said.

“She has everything in the right place – a magnificent mammary system, plenty of capacity and ideal teat placement. She deserved her win and I am looking forward to seeing her step out at International Dairy Week. She is a great advertisement for the breed.

“The reserve champion in this class (Shenstone Dawn 494, entered

by Gordon and Lynette Emmett

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

19

one of three full 23, entered by Rob and Kerrie ET sisters milking Anderson of Kingsville Jerseys, at Wallacedale. Drouin West.

She is classified Four Year Old Champion was maximum 88 points Jugiong Violet 4800, entered by at two years and the Nicholson family of Jugiong was the highest Jerseys, Girgarre. “We have had a pointed two-year- lot of fun with this young cow over old in the South the past couple of years,” Patrick Gippsland Jersey Nicholson said.

Club On-Farm “She was the Junior Two Year Challenge.

Old Champion in the 2005 Great “She is one of five Southern Challenge and Reserve milking two-year- Intermediate Champion at the Judge Jim Parker, Venoma Jerseys, Irrewillipe; old daughters from Shepparton National Show in 2005.

Semex General Manager, Jim Conroy; and AJBS Bindi Bucks Lynette Last year she was the Intermediate Victorian Senior Vice President, Chris MacKenzie; EX90. The group All Breeds Champion and Best congratulate Rohan Sprunt (second from left) of Kaarmona Jerseys, Wunghnu, whose family entered has an average Udder at Shepparton Show.” c l a s s i f i c a t i o n By Molly Brook Berretta Fabulous the Grand Champion in the 2007 Semex-Jersey Australia Great Southern Challenge. score of 86. We (Astound), Violet is classified SUP92 purchased Lynette and produced more than 7,000 of Shenstone Jerseys, Stanhope) in 2003 as a dry litres on her second lactation. was terribly unlucky to come up cow at 11 years of age.

Her HC87 Lester dam averaged against a cow like this.”

“That year, she produced 8,172 6,346 litres at 4.5% fat (287kg) and The Great Southern Challenge litres at 4.6% fat (372kg), 3.6% 3.7% protein (238kg) over four – and its 11 lead-up “on- protein (298kg) over 305 days and lactations, while her HC86 Duncan farm challenges” – differ from was the highest-pointed mature grandam averaged 5,977 litres at conventional livestock judging cow in the Central Gippsland On- 4.6% fat (270kg) and 3.8% protein events in that cattle are assessed Farm Challenge. She is the tallest (227kg) over six lactations. on their home property by a visiting cow in our herd and is still going The Nicholson family – comprising judge. strong at 15 years of age.”

Bill and Evelyn Nicholson; their sons Australian Jersey Breeders Society The Wallacedale show team at Patrick and Brendon Nicholson; State Branches and Cattle International Dairy Week next and brother and sister-in-law, Phil Clubs throughout Victoria, South January will include Lester Lyn and and Amy Nicholson – had further Australia, southern NSW and Wallacedale Sambo Buttercup, success in exhibiting the Reserve Tasmania conducted separate who was placed third in the Champion Mature cow, Jugiong competitions during October and four year old class of the Great Illagay 4712.

November.

Southern Challenge.

The Nicholsons’ success helped Nominated representatives from Mr Parker said the two-year-old to secure the Baker-Farrell trophy each competition were then class was particularly close. “At this for the most successful club for the “over-judged” in early December level of competition, there is very Northern Jersey Breeders Club. to determine the four champions. little separating the placegetters Mr Parker said the four-year-old This unique format enabled all – it really is the best of the best,” class was another tight contest. breeders to compete on an he said. equal basis, regardless of their “I just felt Lyn had experience or location. the least amount The Two Year Old Champion was of faults. I don’t Wallacedale Lester Lyn, entered know where you by the Wallace family – Cliff and could improve Marieka and Luke and Melanie – her. She’s wide, of Wallacedale Jerseys, Poowong tall, angular, has North. lots of strength Wallacedale established a record and a great in supplying no less than six finalists m a m m a r y in this year’s Great Southern system – she’s Challenge. “We have had a few just a wonderful, cows make it to the finals before w o n d e r f u l but we’ve never had a win, so we heifer.”

Semex Area Representative, Stu Mackie (left), and judge, Jim Parker of Venoma Jerseys, Irrewillipe (right) congratulate Kerrie are stoked,” Luke Wallace said.

R e s e r v e Rob Anderson of Kingsville Jerseys, Drouin West, who entered Wallacedale Lester Lyn is sired by Champion was and the Reserve Champion Two Year Old in the 2007 Semex-Jersey Highland Duncan Lester and is Kings Ville Canary Australia Great Southern Challenge.

20 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

“The final four cows did the Jersey breed proud,” he said. “Violet 4800 had strength and width, stood so well on her feet and an udder that fitted her perfectly.”

Reserve Champion Four Year Old was Loxleigh Estimate Iris, entered by the Akers family, Loxleigh Jerseys, Tallygaroopna. The Akers family had two other placegetters in the finals.

Mature Champion was Darrynvale Bhama Favour 6, entered by Darryn and Emily Hourigan of Darrynvale Jerseys, Milawa.

Described by the judge as “a truly magnificent mature dairy cow”, the 93-point cow was the Four Year Old Champion in last year’s Great Southern Challenge.

She is by Kaarmona Bhama, a herd bull purchased from the Sprunt family. Her dam is Darrynvale Deans Favour SUP92, who traces back to the Merriland herd in New Zealand.

Mr Hourigan said Favour 6 would most likely be contract-mated next year. “We’ve had a lot of interest from artificial breeding companies – I have had two phone calls already,” Mr Hourigan said.

“After that, we will probably flush her. In the meantime, we will show her at International Dairy Week in January. We’ve never shown her before and in fact, we have not shown a cow for seven years.

“You don’t breed a cow like this every day, so we are happy to make the effort. When you get a good cow, it’s good for the breed

and your herd to show her off.

“We go in the on-farm challenge every year and we have had three finalists over the years.

We’ve been fortunate e n o u g h to win two championships with Favour 6, Semex General Manager, Jim Conroy (left), and judge, and I can tell Jim Parker of Venoma Jerseys, Irrewillipe, congratulate you, it’s a real Gordon Emmett of Shenstone Jerseys, Stanhope, who entered the Reserve Champion Three Year Old in the 2007 Semex-Jersey honour. If you Australia Great Southern Challenge. don’t show, this is the next New Zealand,” he said. biggest thing.

This competition gets you out and “It is a highly valuable promotion for you, your herd and your mixing with the best.”

The winners were announced association. This competition is at a special luncheon held at growing at a very significant rate Witchmount Winery outside and with better years ahead, it will Melbourne on Wednesday, 12th continue to grow.

“I would like to thank everyone December, 2007.

AJBS Victorian Senior Vice President, who was involved in this year’s particularly the Chris MacKenzie, congratulated challenge, the 250 breeders who participated exhibitors, the organisers and the in this year’s challenge. “It is great judges. Our special thanks also to see so many second and third to Jim Parker. This is one of the generation members here today toughest assignments around as well as several new members but it is also one of the highest who are here for the first time,” he accolades your peers can bestow upon you.” said.

“It is worth remembering that Mr Parker said the format was a everyone who reached the finals totally different way of judging. is already a winner. To get here, “There has been a lot of conjecture your cows won a regional on- over the years why the winners of farm challenge against 100 to this competition do not seem to 150 head. Now they are among go well in the showring,” he said. the 44 finalists “In the show ring, it’s an eye appeal in the largest thing, where you are assessing one event in the cow against another. The on-farm Jersey breed in challenge is about assessing the traits of each cow on its individual Australia.”

Semex Pty strengths and weaknesses.”

Ltd General Semex supplied trophies and Manager, Jim semen vouchers totalling $6,400 to Conroy, said first, second, third and fourth place that Semex in each class, while the exhibitor of was delighted the Supreme Champion received to sponsor the an additional $500 semen voucher event. “This is a from Jersey Marketing Services. very prestigious Semex Pty Ltd is the exclusive event whose Australian distributor of livestock Judge Jim Parker of Venoma Jerseys, Irrewillipe; s t a n d i n g genetics marketed by the Semex Victorian AJBS Senior Vice President, Chris MacKenzie; and Semex General Manager, Jim Conroy; congratulate Darryn is second- Alliance, the world’s largest Hourigan (second from left) of Darrynvale Jerseys, Milawa, whose to-none in artificial breeding organisation. family entered the Mature Champion in the 2007 Semex-Jersey Australia and Australia Great Southern Challenge.

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

21

2007 SEMEX JERSEY AUSTRALIA GREAT SOUTHERN CHALLENGE TWO YEAR OLD 1st: Wallacedale Lester Lyn, Wallace family, Wallacedale Jerseys, Poowong North.

2nd: Kings Ville Canary 23, R. & K. Anderson, Kingsville Jerseys, Drouin West.

3rd: Glenara Flower Linda 3, D. & J. Murray, Spring Gully Jerseys, Larpent.

4th: Loxleigh Megastar Designer 4, Akers family, Loxleigh Jerseys, Tallygaroopna.

THREE YEAR OLD 1st: Kaarmona Parade Babe 2, G. & R. Sprunt, Kaarmona Jerseys, Wunghnu.

2nd: Shenstone Dawn 494, G. & L. Emmett, Shenstone Jerseys, Stanhope.

3rd: Cairnbrae Parades Daisy, A. & J. Carson, Cairnbrae Jerseys, Irrewillipe East.

4th: Moonyah Flower Ivette, T. Gilmore & K. Hateley, Yarrawalla.

FOUR YEAR OLD 1st: Jugiong Violet 4800, Nicholson family, Jugiong Jerseys, Girgarre.

2nd: Loxleigh Estimate Iris, Akers family, Loxleigh Jerseys, Tallygaroopna.

3rd: Wallacedale Mid Buttercup, Wallace family, Wallacedale Jerseys, Poowoong North.

4th: Spring Gully Maggie 2, D. & J. Murray, Spring Gully Jerseys, Larpent.

MATURE 1st: Darrynvale Bhama Favour 6, D. & E. Hourigan, Darrynvale Jerseys, Milawa.

2nd: Jugiong Illagay 4712, Nicholson family, Jugiong Jerseys, Girgarre.

3rd: Loxleigh Astound Iris 5, Akers family, Loxleigh Jerseys, Tallygaroopna.

4th: Koenarl Margo W54P, T. Taylor, Koenarl Jerseys, Brucknell.

GRAND CHAMPION: Kaarmona Parade Babe 2, G. & R. Sprunt, Kaarmona Jerseys, Wunghnu.

The Colac & District Jersey Breeders Club Invites All Jersey Enthusiasts To

“The Colac Jersey Classic 2008”

When: 17th – 20th June 2008 The three day event held in the heart of the South West includes; Colac Jersey Classic Sale Herd Tours Jersey Australia Annual General Meeting AJBS Federal Council Annual General Meeting Visit local Tourist Attractions and plenty more!!

For further information contact Chris MacKenzie (03)55 987222 or Kerrie McGarvie (03) 5593 9347

22 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Semex Area Representative, Howard Hodgetts, congratulates Geoff and Natalie Akers of Loxleigh Jerseys, Tallygaroopna, who entered the Reserve Champion Four Year Old in the 2007 Semex-Jersey Australia Great Southern Challenge.

Also pictured is Loxleigh manager, Jon Pearce.

Semex Area Representative, Stu Mackie (left), and judge, Jim Parker of Venoma Jerseys, Irrewillipe (right) congratulate Melanie, Cliff, Marieka and Luke Wallace of Wallacedale Jerseys, Poowong North, who entered the Champion Two Year Old in the 2007 Semex-Jersey Australia Great Southern Challenge.

Semex Area Representative, Howard Hodgetts (left), and judge, Jim Parker of Venoma Jerseys, Irrewillipe, congratulate Patrick Nicholson of Jugiong Jerseys, Girgarre, whose family entered the Champion Four Year Old in the 2007 Semex-Jersey Australia Great Southern Challenge.

AJBS Victorian Branch Inc (trading as Jersey Australia) - 2008 Committee Elections – The AJBS Victorian Branch committee wishes to inform its members that in conjunction with the 2008 Annual General Meeting (3) two year and (1) currently vacant position upon AJBS Victorian Committee are available for re-election.

The vacancies occur as the following members have completed their term of office; Mr Peter Farrell, Mr Noel Furze and Mr Ian Richards.

Nomination to committee forms are available from the Returning Officer, PO Box 292 Ascot Vale 3032. By email jersey@jersey.com.au or by calling Jersey House directly on (03)93709105.

NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION TO COMMITTEE WILL CLOSE WEDNESDAY 16TH APRIL 2008 AT 5.00PM

PT

A R M G O R P

Pays Its Way

By Richard Meredith Study, planning and a willingness to experiment has paid dividends for the Smethurst family who have used unproven bulls from ABS’ PT program, Cornerstone™, for the past 14 years.

“We’ve used PT bulls since I came back onto the farm,” says Rhys Smethurst who spent several years as a builder before returning to the farm as a sharefarmer in 1994. “I like to experiment with new bulls and help the new bull discovery program.

“It also helps to average the costs down. You’re not using $40 semen each time. A lot of ABS promotions offer a mix of PT and proven bulls. These can be pretty good value.”

Rhys, who with his wife Lauren and brother Haig, now runs the family’s Lerida Park Jersey stud in partnership with parents Bruce and Lorraine, keeps meticulous records of all bulls used and reviews them with his father as they come up to joining each year.

“Her udder is holding up well,” he says. “If all my heifers were like her I would be very happy.”

The Smethursts aim to add 50-60 heifers to the herd each year and sell about 40-50 a year as stud cattle.

Operating with a strong commercial focus, they do not put their animals in the show ring but have had considerable success in the Cobden AB Commercial Cow competition and the On-farm Challenge run by the Jersey Cattle Club.

“These events get the stud well-known,” Rhys says.

They currently milk around 280 Jerseys off 300 acres, feeding 1.8 tonnes of grain per cow. Rhys prefers to feed more in the bale instead of growing crops, believing it keeps the operation simple and more manageable. “The year you put in a crop is usually the year you don’t need it,” he says. “We have been averaging 300 kg bf and 260 kg pr. Although the drought pulled production back a bit, they have come through it in good condition.”

They use around 20% ABS Cornerstone™ PT bulls and 80% proven bulls. “We got Mentor as a PT bull a couple of years ago. He was out of Astound who was very good on udders, so we thought there was a good chance he would be too.”

Udders are a major problem in the system, according to Rhys, with many breakdowns in less than four years of production. Mentor has proved his worth producing heifers with good udder conformation, teat placement and a strong ligament. Since using him in the PT program, the Smethursts have also used him as a proven bull.

“They start with a good udder and they stay that way.

I know we will get many years out of the Mentors,” says Rhys confidently. Currently they have three Mentor daughters in the herd. One of these daughters has produced 5788 litres (224 kg bf and 200 kg pr) in just 199 days (or two thirds of the way through her second lactation). She was recently classified VHC 90pts.

LP Mentor’s Gold 8, a 3 year old out of a Biestar cow owned by Lerida Park Jerseys

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

23

RESULTS 2007 N.S.W. State Jersey Show held at Camden Showground Thursday 25 & Friday 26 October, 2007 Judge: Mr. Rod Verral

CLASS 1 International Animal Health Products Heifer under 6 months 1 B Gavenlock Bralock Blair Tara Sil-Mist Montana Blair 2 Gavenlock Bros Narara Glen Valley Mandy Bralock Valley Man 3 Wilson Family Shirlinn IM Priscillla 2nd Ingalala Merlin CLASS 2 Manning District Jersey Cattle Club Heifer 6 months and under 12 months 1 Wilson Family Shirlinn Icy Eve 2nd 2 B Gavenlock Bralock Country Merle 3 M & R Wilson Burnside Modesty Monty CLASS 3 Hunter Valley Jersey Cattle Club Heifer 12 months and under 18 months 1 CC & J Cochrane Parrabel Connection Delight 2 K L & M A Atkins Kendale Bomber Eileen 3 J Quin Orana Fancy Serenade

Kendale Big Time Ice BW Country Burnside Buttercup Monty

Giprat Belles Connection

W F Brook Bomber Ingalala Fancy Avery

CLASS 4 Australian Jersey Breeders Society – N.S.W. Branch Heifer 18 months and under 24 months 1 Boyd Family Brunchilli B Cher Rapid Bay Breakaway 2 K L & M A Atkins Kendale Connection Glory Giprat Belles Connection 3 CC & J Cochrane Parrabel Sambo Delight

Lester Sambo

HUNTER VALLEY JERSEY CATTLE CLUB JUVENILE CHAMPION Boyd Family Brunchilli B Cher Sire: Rapid Bay Breakaway WORLD WIDE SIRES/AUSTRALIA RESERVE CHAMPION CC & J Cochrane Parrabel Connection Delight Sire: Giprat Belles Connection HONOURABLE MENTION B Gavenlock Bralock Blair Tara Sire: Sil-Mist Montana Blair CLASS 5 Australian Jersey Breeders Society – N.S.W. Branch Female 24 and under 36 months, dry 1 J Quin Orana Bomber Ilagay W F Brook Bomber CLASS 6 Genetics Australia Cow 3 years and over dry 1 B Gavenlock Brooklyn Farm Judes Tiney Curtsey Duncan Jude 2 J Quin Orana Lemvig Sunshine Fyn Lemvig 1st Production CLASS 7 BOS Trading Pty. Limited Female under 24 months in milk 1 CC & J Cochrane Parrabel Connect Delight 2 Rowantree Jerseys Rowantree Futurity Portia

3 J Quin

Orana Sultan Memory

CLASS 8 Semex Pty. Ltd. Female 24 and under 30 months in milk 1 Rowantree Jerseys Rowantree Mega Babs

2 J Quin

Orana Hallmark Ilagay 4

3 CC & J Cochrane Parrabel Connect Strike

CLASS 9 Agri-Gene Pty. Ltd. Female 30 and under 36 months in milk 1 Boyd Family Brunchilli Sambos Dainty

Lester Sambo

2 Elm Grove Partnership Elm Grove Fusion Moya Winks

Molly Brook Fusion

3 Wilson Family

Shirlinn First Prize

Shirlinn First Zara 1st Production

CLASS 10 Kendale Jerseys Junior Best Udder 1 Boyd Family

Brunchilli Sambos Dainty

2 Elm Grove Partnership Elm Grove Fusion Moya Winks 3 Rowantree Jerseys Rowantree Futurity Portia

Lester Sambo Molly Brook Fusion Sunset Canyon Futurity

BARASTOC DAIRY FEEDS INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION Boyd Family Brunchilli Sambos Dainty Sire: Lester Sambo ABS AUSTRALIA RESERVE CHAMPION Rowantree Jerseys Rowantree Mega Babs Sire: Rowantree Jugiong Megastar HONOURABLE MENTION Elm Grove Partnership Elm Grove Fusion Moya Winks Sire: Molly Brook Fusion CLASS 11 Genetics Australia Pen of 2 females under 36 months 1 Boyd Family 2 Wilson Family 3 C C & J Cochrane CLASS 12 Dairy Farmers Cow 3 years and under 4 years in milk 1 Wilson Family Shirlinn Sambo Melys 2nd Production 2 M & R Wilson 3 J Quin

Burnside Power Silverflower Orana Power Memory

Lester Sambo Claydon Park Flower Power Claydon Park Flower Power

3rd Production Elm Grove Partnership Elm Grove Spoc’s Dawn

Kendale Midnight Doc

1st Production CLASS 13 21st Century Genetics Pty Ltd Cow 4 years and under 5 years in milk 1 Boyd Family Brunchilli Olivia 2 Elm Grove Partnership

3 Wilson Family J Quin

Brunchilli PMI Impact

Elm Grove Biestar Spanish BIE Biestar

1st Production Shirlinn First Eve 3rd Production Orana Hallmark Ilagay 2 2nd Production

Shirlinn First Prize Ingalala Hallmark

Giprat Belles Connection

CLASS 14 World Wide Sires/Australia Cow 5 years and under 7 years in milk 1 Boyd Family Brunchilli J Passion 1st Production 2 Wilson Family Shirlinnn Miss Iota 3rd Brunchilli E V Priscilla Rowantree Jugiong Megastar 3 Boyd Family J Quin Orana Remake Sunshine Ingalala Hallmark 2nd Production Giprat Belles Connection J Quin Orana Lassies Serenade 3rd Production Sunset Canyon Futurity

SHF Centurion Sultan

24 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Rapid Bay Jetson Fleurieu Berretta Aramis Enniskillen Vision Rock Ella Remake Bushlea Lassies Hermitage

If my mother could see me now:

Boy did I grow up!

Lynbrae Sleeping Beauty 441 VHC91

Wendon Jade Sleeping Beauty She is a whopper of a cow, ask any C.G.J.B.C. member.

She has had an illustrious show career so far...

Reserve Junior Champ Heifer at C.G.J.B.C. Fair 2005 2nd Melbourne Royal Show 2005 Yearling heifer Champion Production cow & 2nd 3yr old in milk at our 2007 Fair.

She was also 3rd in the 3yr old class at our C.G.J.B.C. OFC. Both events had the 3 year olds as their largest classes. She has two daughters.

We would like to thank the following purchasers of embryos and heifers during the past year/s. Phil Hentschke and Warren Schutz: Congratulations on your little ET arrivals.

Paramount x Lynbrae Sleeping Beauty 293rd.

Beth Scott of Powlett River with a Sleeping Beauty and a Dorothy heifer. Melanie Ridgeway of Melonlea Jerseys with the first daughter of Jade Sleeping Beauty.

FOR SALE:

Wendon Jade Sleeping Beauty VHC91

2 x very well grown quiet young boys.

Born Feb 2007. E.T From Lynbrae Sleeping Beauty 266th (Ferdon Tandras Herald x Lynbrae Sleeping Beauty 166th ) by WF Brook Bomber. These fellows have been fully vaccinated, wormed regularly and are easy to handle.

JDCAP accredited reared. Can travel.

CONTACT :

Wendon Jade Sleeping Beauty VHC91

Wendy Sargeant: 03 56 278 430 or mobile: 0408378637 Heifers occaisionally for sale We have the largest selelction of Sleeping Beauty’s in Australia.

Founded with the aid of Gordon & Gail Peck of Lynbrae Jerseys, of course.

We milked 32 Sleeping Beauties last season and will milk more this year. We cant wait!

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

25

$16

plus GST

The long awaited mating of Agri-Gene’s finest Jersey Sires BWCOUNTRY son out of an EX93 BWLEGION daughter Combination of High Type, Production and Components Special Forces is ranked amongst the Top JPI Sires for Type at +2.1 and consistently transmits strength and width of body to his progeny First BW Country son, now has daughters fresh, full of dairyness with excellent stature

GOLD LABEL SIRE - GOLD LABEL VALUE SIRE: BW Country DAM: BW Legion May K302 EX93 305D 24800M 4.4% 1103F 3.4% 840P MGS: BW Legion MGD: BW Hermitage BB H498 VG87 305D 27330M 4.9% 1329F 3.4% 936P

Special Forces Daughters owned by Brentwood Farms

Forces Rae

BW SF Kelly L922 VG87

BW SF Donna L872 VG88

BW SF Emma L876 VG85

BW SF Kelly L922 VG87

Dam: BW Legion May EX93

Grand Champion 2007 Alabama State Fair

1-10 305 29130M 1241F 988P

1-11 305 22550M 1003F 838P

1-11 305 22550M 1003F 838P

AGRI-GENE P/L

1-11 305 22780M 1125F 863P

2-04 305 19180M 1017F 698P

123-125 Tone Road, Wangarratta VIC 3677 ph: 03 5722 2666 fax: 03 5722 2777 email: info@agrigene.com.au web: www.agrigene.com.au

26 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

CLASS 15 ABS Australia Cow 7 years and over in milk 1 Wilson Family Silverlie Stars Lilac 1st Production 2 Wilson Family

CLASS 18 Rowantree Jerseys Senior Best Udder 1 Boyd Family Brunchilli J Passion 2 Wilson Family Silverlie Stars Lilac 3 Boyd Family Brunchilli Olivia

BIE Biestar

Shirlinn Finale Starfinch Auburnvue Karmel Grand Finale

2nd Production 3 M & R Wilson

Torrens View Finale Buttercup Auburnvue Karmel Grand Finale

3rd Production CLASS 16 Dairy Farmers Pen of 3 females over 3 years 1 Boyd Family 2 Wilson Family 3 Elm Grove Partnership

Rapid Bay Jetson BIE Biestar Brunchilli PMI Impact

DAIRY FARMERS CHAMPION COW Plus BRALOCK JERSEY TROPHY Boyd Family Brunchilli J Passion Sire: Rapid Bay Jetson DAIRY FARMERS RESERVE CHAMPION Boyd Family Brunchilli Olivia Sire: Brunchilli PMI Impact

CLASS 17 Genetics Australia Dams Progeny 1 M & R Wilson 2 B Gavenlock 3 A Spence

HONOURABLE MENTION Wilson Family Silverlie Stars Lilac Sire: BIE Biestar CLASS 19 Australian Jersey Cattle Club Challenge Sponsored by Orana Jersey Stud 1 Southern Riverina Jersey Cattle Club 2 Hunter Valley Jersey Cattle Club 3 Cumberland & Southern Districts Jersey Cattle Club

The Nancy Singleton Memorial Award for Production Champion Production Cow Boyd Family Brunchilli J Passion Sire: Rapid Bay Jetson Production – 708 kg Fat plus Protein

Most Successful Exhibitor Boyd Family

N.S.W. STATE JERSEY YOUTH SHOW Camden Showground Thursday 25 October, 2007 Judge:

Mr. Troy Mauger

Paraders Competition Class 1 15 years & under 1 Katy Cullen 2 Tom Wilson 3 Brad Cullen 4 Owen Van Amelsvoord 5 Mitchell Atkins

Class 7 Heifer 12 months and under 15 months 1 B Gavenlock Bralock Country Merle 2 M & R Wilson Burnside Modesty Monty 3 Wilson Family Shirlinn Icy Eve 2nd 4 K L & M A Atkins Kendale Brookbi Ice 5 M & R Wilson Burnside Monty Moonstar

Class 2 16 years & over 1 Melissa So 2 Brendan Lee 3 Jackson Marsh 4 Mitchell Murray

Class 8 Heifer 15 months and under 18 months 1 J Quin Orana Fancy Serenade 2 J Quin Orana Legion Pet

Champion Parader Melissa So Reserve Champion Parader Katy Cullen Heifer Classes Class 4 Heifer under 6 months 1 B Gavenlock Bralock Goldstar Merle 2 K L & M A Atkins Kendale Rocket Moya 3 K L & M A Atkins Kendale Senior Eileen Class 5 Heifer 6 months and under 9 months 1 Wilson Family Shirlinn IM Priscilla 2nd 2 Gavenlock Bros Narara Glen Valley Mandy 3 J Quin Orana Lemvig Ilagay Class 6 Heifer 9 months and under 12 months 1 M & R Wilson Burnside Monty Dulice 2 B Gavenlock Bralock Blair Tara 3 M & R Wilson Burnside Monty Frankline 4 J Quin Orana Daydreams Silverfinch

Class 9 Heifer 18 months and under 21 months 1 R Wilson Jamber Jade Lady 2 K L & M A Atkins Kendale Bomber Eileen Champion Heifer Wilson Family

Shirlinn IM Priscilla 2nd

Reserve Champion Heifer B Gavenlock Bralock Country Merle Honourable Mention M & R Wilson Burnside Monty Dulice Youth Judging Competition GROUP 1 Under 15 years 1 Brad Cullen 2 Tom Wilson GROUP 2 15 years & over 1 Andrew Cullen 2 Owen Van Amelsvoord 3 Katy Cullen 3 Brendan Lee

JerseyJournal February / March 2008 —

27

NSW BRANCH MEMBERSHIP FEES Membership

Registrations 2005

Ordinary Membership Family Membership Associate Membership Junior (under 21 years)

$143.00 $176.00 $77.00 $71.50

Male & Female

Up to 6mths 6 to 12mths Over 12mths

$12.00 $16.00 $30.00

(All prices include 10% GST)

Email: johnston_jersey@yahoo.com.au

Ph: 02 6552 5915

Transfer fees – $16.50 per head Embryo Transfer Fee – $16.50 per package Genetic Recovery – $6.60 for the first Genetic Recovery animal and progeny of this animal to be at the current registration fees.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR AJBS (Victorian Branch) INC. Membership Categories: All subscriptions due 1st July each year (included is 10% GST)

1. Full: 2. Family:

$165 Includes Jersey Journal subscription. $187 All cows must be milked in the one herd.

Includes Jersey Journal subscription.

3. Associate: $71.50 Up to 5 registrations at $27.50 per registration during membership lifetime. Includes Jersey Journal subscription.

4. Junior: $44 Includes Jersey Journal subscription. Eligible if 21 or under.

For an application form Telephone: 03 9370 9105 or visit our website: www.jersey.com.au

QLD BRANCH MEMBERSHIP FEES Phone: 07 5485 4585 Email: ajbsqld@bigpond.com –––––(GST Inclusive)–––––

1. FULL MEMBER $132.00 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBER $77.00 3. JUNIOR MEMBER $66.00 FEES and CHARGES Under 6mths (male & female) Over 12mths (male & female) Transfer Fee

$11.00 $16.50 $11.00

6-12mths (male & female) $13.20 Genetic Recovery 1st Stage $9.90 Family Transfers $6.60

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Registration Fees as at 1st December 2005 Applications together with payment to be forwarded to: Kay Peek, 5 Stitfold Promenade, Salter Point WA 6152 Ph: (08) 9313 2145 email: kaylynette8@iinet.net.au MEMBERSHIP:

$130. 00 $60. 00

• One stud - Limited to 6 head of registered Jersey cattle - unless part of parent’s herd and on same property) - No Vote

REGISTRATIONS: Fees are for all males and females at date of lodgement.

0-12 months $11.00 Over 24 months $26.00 12 - 24 months $21.00 Trnsfers or leases $10.00 • Note: It is the sellers responsibility to pay the transfer fee.

GENETIC RECOVERY: Females only – any age – foundation animal* $6.60 • Note: All registrations over the age of 24 months are subject to inspection as are GR foundation animals. An inspection fee will be charged according to kilometres travelled by the inspector.

All prices include GST

TASMANIA BRANCH MEMBERSHIP FEES Forward applications with payment to: Max McCormack PO Box 1258, Devonport 7310 Ph: (03) 6424 1250 email: mpmccormack@southcom.com.au Membership: Full $150.00 Associate $80.00 Junior $80.00 Genetic Recovery $9.90

Registrations: Up to 12 months Over 12 months Transfers

$9.90 $13.20 $9.90

All prices include GST

28 — JerseyJournal February / March 2008

Category Under 3 mths – $500 semen & CGU Farmpack Insurance Under 3 mths – $2000 semen purchased through JMS Under 3 mths Over 3 mths & under 6 mths Over 6 mths & under 12 mths Over 12 mths & under 24 mths Over 24 mths Genetic Recovery – first registration per live animal (dead animals no charge) Registration for Associate Members

Price

GST Inc. GST

$7.50

$0.75

$8.25

$7.50 $10.00 $12.00 $17.00 $22.00 $25.00

$0.75 $1.00 $1.20 $1.70 $2.20 $2.50

$8.25 $11.00 $13.20 $18.70 $24.20 $27.50

$5.00 $25.00

$0.50 $2.50

$5.50 $27.50

TRANSFER FEES FOR LIVE ANIMALS + EMBRYO SALES Within 60 days of sale: $5.50 plus 1.1% SALE PRICE. It is the sellers responsibility to advise office and pay transfer fees.

Intra-family transfers free. If the sale is conducted through Jersey Marketing Service there are no transfer fees applicable.

ET transfer fee is applied to total embryo’s sold - form available from Jersey House.

Bull Transfer to AB Company Flat Fee $35 +GST note: progeny of sires not transferred are not eligible for registration

TELEPHONE REGISTRATIONS Registrations can be completed via telephone, and credit card facilities may be used for payment. Emergency Registration Processing Fee (processed within 3 working days via telephone) will be charged to credit card at $55 per animal.

REPLACEMENT PEDIGREE CERTIFICATES If certificates are requested for a whole herd then cost is $1.10 per certificate. If the request is for individual animals then the cost is $2.20 per certificate.

Please note that if the replacement is to rectify incorrect information then there will be no charge.

CLASSIFICATION CHARGES (# prices are GST inclusive)

NOTE: - All inclusive of JERSEY JOURNAL SUBSCRIPTION. JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP: *Per annum (Up to the age of 18 years)

REGISTRATION FEES (Fees are for either males or females, and are determined on the animal’s date of birth and the date the application was received at Jersey House.)

Current prices as determined by Federal Council are:

Per year - Period from 1st March to 28th February FULL MEMBERSHIP: Per annum (One Stud - One Vote)

AJBS (Victorian Branch) Inc Fees and Charges as at 1st January 2007

Herd Visit Fee Classification fee for 2 year olds where all 2 year olds in herd are calssified Random/single classification fee for 2 year olds Classification fee for mature cows Resubmits for higher awards

$27.50 $5.50 per animal $9.90 per animal $9.90 per animal $9.90 per animal

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Registration Fees as at 1 JANUARY 2007

SA applications together with payment to be forwarded to: Megan March, 14 Murray Drive, Murray Bridge SA 5253 Ph: 08 8531 3803 Email: march@lm.net.au

Registrations: Fees are for all males and females at date of lodgement.

0-3 months $8.80 inc. GST Over 3 months $11.00 inc. GST Associate Members $27.50 inc. GST Transfer Fees $7.70 inc. GST Genetic Recovery: First registration per live animal $8.80 inc. GST Subsequent registrations at regular age rate.

Stage 3 or 4 animals must be inspected.

Membership: Full membership $121.00 inc. GST Family membership $143.00 inc. GST Associate membership $71.50 inc. GST Junior membership (under 21) $22.00 inc. GST

Lalu-Action Ramona, EX 90

Sun Valley Action Glory, VG 85

JECOMERICA

Remake x Renaissance

• Super Conformation • Outstanding Mammary Systems

Golden Comerica Nordica VG-85-2YR-CAN

Golden Comerica Dominic VG-89-3YR-CAN 2nd Jnr. 2-YR RAWF 2006

• Correct Rumps • Dairy Strength Pine Haven B R C Eva VG-89-2YR-CAN

1st Jnr. 2-YR & Best Udder RAWF 2006

THE POWER OF BALANCED BREEDING

PO Box 509, Melton Vic. 3337 Office & Warehouse 10 - 12 Coburns Rd Tel 03 9743 0344 • Fax 03 9743 0355 Email: semex@semex.com.au Website: www.semex.com.au