Great depth in competition
First time winners shared the accolades of this year’s Leading Edge Genetics onfarm competition.
The competition, now in its 10th year is one of the largest of its kind in Australia. This year 408 head were entered from across 58 different farms.
Taking out the highest honour of overall champion and winning the 4-year-old and over class was entry Ollie 864 sired by AltaRoble and owned by Les, Diane, Russell and Amy White of Leongatha South.
This well balanced dairy cow on her third lactation was a standout for judge Roger Perrett of Kongwak.
The two-year-old class was is year won by Kings Ville Jerseys with their animal 4683 sired by Macho. “She was the most correct and balanced cow in a very strong class,” Roger said.
The three-year-old class was won by entry 4280 (sired by Pepper) and owned by Foote Dairies at Fish Creek. “Her dairy frame and outstanding udder made her the obvious cow to lead this class.”
One of the most coveted prizes is the group class (three animals by the one sire). This year the winning pen was owned by Marty and Alex Jarvis of Yarragon with their daughters of Calumet.
Other awards presented on the day included the most successful exhibitor. This was tied between Kings Ville Jerseys (Rob and Kerrie Anderson) and Marty and Alex Jarvis. Highest placed non-registered Holstein was also awarded to the Jarvis family.
For Roger, it was a very busy four days of judging across Gippsland. He visited 58 farms and judged 408 animals 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.”
“Each year I marvel at the quality of cows presented in this competition. It truly has become one of the leading OnFarmcompetition’s here in Australia.
“Based on the large attendance today, there is no doubting there is not only great fellowship in our dairy cattle industry, but also great pride that everyone has in their animals, Leading Edge Genetics manager Brad Aitken said.
The naming and presentation day was held at Warragul Country Club.
Results and judge’s comments: Two-year- class – 102 entries.
Winner - 4683 sired by Macho, Kings Ville Jerseys, Drouin West.
“The depth was extremely deep in this phenomenal two-year-old class. Leading the way was the well balanced Jersey heifer of Kings Ville Jerseys. Sired by Macho she placed over the outstanding Calumet daughter 4887 owned by Marty and Alex Jarvis. Placing 3rd was Jersey heifer 2421, sired by Macho and owned by Warren Lace and Carrie Ralston of Devon North.”
Three-year-old class – 81 entries
Winner - 4280 sired by Pepper/AltaIota, Foote Dairies, Fish Creek
“The winning three-year-old was the well balanced dairy cow 4280 (sired by Pepper) and owned by Foote Dairies at Fish Creek. In second place was Jersey number three owned by Hine and Phillips of Labertouche and sired by the World Wide Sires bull in Irwin. In third place was 5414, sired by Supershot and owned by Homebush Pastoral at Stony Creek.” Four-year-old – 103 entries
Winner – Ollie 864 (AltaRoble/Buddha), Les, Diane, Russell and Amy White, Leongatha South
“The 4 year old and over class featured some of the best mature cows from across Gippsland. Taking out first place was the entry of Ollie 864, sired by AltaRoble and owned by Les, Diane, Russell and Amy White of Leongatha South. This extremely well balanced and correct animal placed over the outstanding uddered Fever daughter owned by Tony Munden of Nilma. In third place was the impressive AltaIota daughter of Grant and Leesa Williams of Hallora.”
Group Class (3 females by the 1 sire) – 37 entries
Winner - sired by Calumet, Marty and Alex Jarvis, Yarragon.
“The group class is always one of the more interesting classes of the competition. In first place was the Calumet daughter group owned by Marty and Alex Jarvis of Yarragon. Kings Ville Jerseys (Rob and Kerry Anderson) had a nice Jersey daughter group sired by Macho place second. Whilst AltaSpring daughters featured in third with a uniformed group owned by Williams/Lowndes at Yannathan.”
Premier Exhibitor: equal winners - Hine and Phillips, Labertouche; Kings Ville Jerseys, Drouin West; M and A Jarvis, Yarragon
Highest Placed Non Holstein Member - M and A Jarvis.