Strong entries for on-farm challenge

The 2017 Leading Edge Genetics OnFarm Competition saw the accolades shared amongst some first time winners of the event.

The competition, now in its eighth year is one of the largest of its kind in Australia. This year 384 head were entered from across 58 different farmers.

Taking out the highest honour of overall champion and winning the three year old class was entry 1433 sired by Dorcy and owned Les and Lyn Hornby at Outtrim. This well balanced angular dairy cow was a standout for judge Matt Templeton of Tarwin. Long time supporters of the competition they also received a 4th in the 4 year old and over class with entry 1325 sired by Goldmine.

The two year old class was this year won by John and June Gillan with their animal 3502 sired by AltaRoble. “She was the most correct and balanced cow in a very strong class,” said Matt. T

he four year old and over class was won by entry 670 (sired by Baxter) and owned by David, Kerry, Michael and Jacqui Williams. “Her dairy frame and outstanding udder made her the obvious cow to lead the class.”

One of the most coveted prizes is the Group Class (3 animals sired by the 1 sire). This year winning pen was owned by Trevor Henry at Tinamba with daughters of the Genetics Australia sire Atley.

Other awards presented on the day including the most successful exhibitor to David, Kerry, Michael and Jacqui Williams at Catani. Highest placed non-registered Holstein was awarded to Les and Lyn Hornby.

For the judge Matt Templeton it was a very busy four days of judging across Gippsland. He visited 58 farms and judged 384 from all breeds.

“It was certainly a competition of great depth. Each farm had animals of tremendous quality. There could only be one winner in each class unfortunately. But for me I was looking for the most correct well balanced cow,” said Matt.

“Each year I marvel at the quality of cows presented in the competition. It truly has become one of the leading on-farm competition’s here in Australia. Based on the large attendance today there is no doubting there is great fellowship in our dairy cattle industry but also great pride everyone has in their animals,” said Brad Aitken owner/manager of Leading Edge Genetics.

The naming and presentation of the competition winners was held at Warragul Golf Club attended by 135 interested farmers and 15 agribusiness representatives. Winners: 2 year old- 3502 sired by AltaRoble- J and J Gillan, Caldermeade.

96 entries. The depth was extremely deep in this phenomenal 2 year old class.. Leading the way was the great framed Holstein heifer owned by John and June Gillan. Sired by AltaRoble she placed over the outstanding Dempsey daughter TN271 of Lancey Farms.

3 year old– 1433 sired by Dorcy/Ladino– L and L Hornby, Outtrim.

45 entries. The winning 3 year old was the well balanced dairy cow 1433 (sired by Dorcy) and owned by Les and Lyn Hornby. In 2nd place was the Jersey 2086 owned by Ben Elliot (Benelli Jerseys) and sired by Semex bull in David.

4 year old and over– 670 sired by AltaTBaxter/Wildman– D, K, M and J Williams, Catani.

91 entries. The 4 year old and over class featured some of the best mature cows from across Gippsland. Taking out 1st place was the entry of 670 sired by AltaTBaxter and owned by David, Kerry, Michael and Jacqui Williams at Catani. This extremely well balanced and correct animal placed over massive framed black Farm Dealer cow 1070 of Allison and Aaron Potter at Poowong North.

Group Class (3 females by 1 sire) sired by Atley (Atwood/Marion)– Trevor Henry, Tinamba.

32 entries. The Group Class is always one of the most interesting classes of the competition. This year in particular saw 5 of the top 10 placegetters being taken out by genomic sires who have since graduated as proven. In 1st placed was the Atley group owned by Trevor Henry at Tinamba. The Wallace family at Poowong North had a nice Jersey daughter group sired by the Alta bull in Van Ahlem place 2nd.

Overall champion 2017- 1433 sired by Dorcy/Ladino- owned by L and L Hornby.

Premier exhibitor 2017- D, K, M and J Williams, Catani

Highest placed non Holstein member- L and L Hornby, Outtrim

1 LimX 1 LimX 1 Bld 1 LimX 1 LimX 1 CharX Steers 1 AngX 1 Sim 7 Ang Bullocks 2 Ang 2 Ang Heifers 1 Lim P Webb, Nyora 405 1 Lim C&R Buckeridge, Buln Buln 525 1 Char M&V Giles, Yullunga 730 1 Ang G&M Stephens, Nambrock 510 4 Ang K&J Gracie, Drouin West 496 Export Cows and Heifers 1 P/H A Romanin, Warragul 1 Lim A Marson, Buln Buln 1 Hfd Jacinta Pretty, Jindivick 1 CharX Mile Park, Moe 3 Ang B&H Arbuthnot, G/garry 3 B/B Harvest Field, Mt View Dairy Cows 1 Frn C&R Buckeridge, B/Buln 1 Frn W&M Armstrong, B/Vista 3 Frn C&D Kelliher, Neerim Sth 1 Frn D&C Currie, Bona Vista 4 Frn C&F Bills, Athlone 1 Frn J&J Tekema, Nilma Nth 1 Frn A&V Robertson, Yarragon Bulls 1 Lim 1 Lim 1 Ays 1 Hfd

I&G Parkin, Thorpdale R&J Franklin, Yinnar R&G Schuhkraft, Childers J&M Douglas, Poowong J Vicary, Drouin G&L Jones, Warragul Sth

M Nester, Nar Nar Goon P Webb, Nyora J Cochrane, Nar Nar Goon

M&K Malacarne, Yarragon M&V Giles, Yullunga N&D Renshaw, Lillico S Conway, Traralgon D&C Currie, Bona Vista J James, Drouin West

Scotts, 3. SEJ, 4. Gibbon, 5. Landmark.

350 370 440 385 400 355

430 435 520

550 715 505 510 735 595 731 550

615 885 703 700 728 630 780

1034 850 915 670

330.0 1155 330.0 1221 325.0 1430 322.2 1240 320.0 1280 320.0 1136

286.6 1232 284.0 1235 280.0 1456

268.6 1477 259.6 1856

285.2 1155 266.6 1399 257.6 1880 254.6 1298 230.0 1141

243.2 1228 240.0 1224 240.0 1764 232.0 1380 232.0 1695 230.0 1265

228.6 1405 228.0 2017 228.0 1602 220.0 1540 218.2 1587 218.0 1373 218.0 1700

279.2 2886 264.6 2249 241.6 2210 231.6 1551 1. Elders, 2.