The Australian Jersey Journal May 2012 Part a

JERSEY

May/June 2012

Print Post Approved 325550-009

JOURNAL

Part A:

Celebrating the Centenary of the South Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club

JerseyExcellence

Itinerary

100 YEARS

OF

MONDAY, MAY 28th

SGJBC ‘Devondale 100 Years of Jersey Excellence’ sale

Stony Creek Racecourse, Sth Gippsland Hwy, Stony Creek 11.30am Pre Sale parade - luncheon available 1pm Commencement of sale

At the conclusion of the sale, there will be a casual evening to allow visitors to settle into the RACV Inverloch Resort. The resort has an excellent indoor swimming pool among other activities. Dinner can be enjoyed at the Resort Bistro, or Inverloch has several other options for meals. There is a complementary RACV shuttle bus into Inverloch and return if needed. Those wishing to explore a little may like to take a drive down to Phillip Island to visit the penguins.

TUESDAY, MAY 29th 9am Jersey Australia Annual Meeting - RACV Inverloch Resort 11.30am “100 Years Celebration Luncheon” doors open 10.30am at the Wonthaggi Workmans Club, 75 Graham Street, Wonthaggi. Guest speakers: Cherie Bayer, Ph.D. Director of Development US Jersey and Club Members. A bus is available from the Resort to Wonthaggi and return.

5pm Jersey Australia Vic Branch AGM - RACV Inverloch Resort 6.30pm Rabobank Jersey Industry dinner, with guest speakers. Wonthaggi Workmans Club. Bus travel available.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30th 8.30am Farms and scenic bus tour - lunch included, returning late afternoon 6.30pm Jersey Australia Dinner. Presentations and entertainment at the Wonthaggi Workmans Club.

Bus travel available.

Registration

THURSDAY, MAY 31st

Social breakfast - RACV Inverloch Resort.

Conference itinerary registration form Please complete and return to: Ian & Joy Richards, 1315 Loves Lane, Dumbalk VIC 3956

by Monday May 21st, 2012.

Celebrating the Centenary of the South Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club

JerseyExcellence 100 YEARS

OF

Please tick one: I have included my remittance, made payable to South Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club with the returned form.

I have paid by Direct Deposit and have returned the form only.

Please contact Ian & Joy Richards on 5664 1248 for Direct Deposit bank account details

Events

$ Per Person

100 Years Celebration Luncheon Tuesday, May 29th 2012

$45

Rabobank Jersey Industry dinner Tuesday, May 29th 2012

$33

Bus tour including lunch Wednesday, May 30th 2012

$10

Jersey Australia dinner Wednesday, May 30th 2012

$43

Name of each person attending

Stud Name

$ Amount

Total Cost $

ABS

n e w j e r s e y s ta r s Impuls x EX-93 Jace x EX-94 Future

Premier Photo: dam Hawarden Jace Pix E-94%

HIgHEst sEllIng JErsEy s I r E I n U s A 2 0 11 HUgE comPonEnt mIlk long lAstIng FErtIlE cows sHAllow UddErs

Impuls x EX-92 Hallmark x EX-90 declo

Jupiter Photo: dtr Hawarden Jupiter Heather

# 1 J P I s I r E At 2 2 5 , 25 PoInts clEAr! BIg FrAmEd JErsEy cows mAssIvE mIlk ImProvEs Foot AnglE

Investing Locally

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Vol. 65 No. 3 - May-June 2012

COVER

WALLACEDALE JERSEYS FUTURE FORTUNES SALE Thursday, May 31st, 2012 at 12.30pm

Developing and Promoting the Jersey Breed

Jersey Australia Board Members President: Trevor Saunders 495 Araluen Rd, Yarragon VIC 3823 Telephone: (03) 5626 6373 saunders-day@dcsi.net.au Vice President: Milton Johnston 118 Edinburgh Drive, Taree, NSW 2430 Telephone: (02) 6552 5915 Secretary: Scott Joynson PO Box 292, Ascot Vale, VIC 3032 Telephone: (03) 9370 9105 jersey@jersey.com.au Hon. Treasurer: Peter Ness PO Box 93, Mt Compass, SA 5210 Telephone: (08) 8556 8270 nyowee@activ8.net.au Don Fry Mitchell Rd, Benger, WA Telephone: (08) 9726 9226 katandrapark@bigpond.com Geoff Heazlewood PO Box 87 Latrobe TAS 7307 Telephone: (03) 6426 1169 Chris MacKenzie 859 Cooriemungle Rd Timboon VIC 3268 Telephone: (03)559 87222 jireh859@skymesh.com.au Troy Mauger The Willows Willawa Rd Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5885 9294 tmmauger1@bigpond.com Rohan Sprunt 235 Kaarimba Hall Rd Kaarimba VIC 3635 Telephone: (03)5826 9506 kaarmona@bigpond.com Lisa Broad 388 Johnson Rd Lockington VIC 3563 Telephone: (03) 5486 2624 lisa.broad@bigpond.com.au AJBS Website: www.jersey.com.au 4 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

52 Exciting Jersey Lots 52 Herd and Sale lots open for inspection from 10.00 am Russell Gammon of Semex Canada will give a presentation at 11.00 am

Lunch will be available to purchase for the duration of the sale.

STOP PRESS - “Most Successful Exhibitor Warragul Fair 2012” Luke & Melanie Wallace tel: 03 5627 5668 | email: lukemel@dsci.net.au or Cliff & Marieka Wallace 03 5627 5669

IN THIS ISSUE...

CONTENTS

5 8 12 16 20 24 32

Cover artwork: Sharon Clark Cover photo: Sheila Sundborg

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Behind the Scenes Royal Sydney Show results Jerseys score on length, depth and width Jerseys thrive in steep country at Valleyrose Why Jersey fertility is falling Wauchope farm supplies NSW Jersey milk niche Polled Genetics dominate

ADVERTISING COPY DEADLINES JULY/AUGUST 2012

If you are supplying press ready artwork from an outside source the final deadline is June 19, 2012 If you require your ad to be designed - all copy must be received by June 11, 2012

ABS Australia 3 Agri-Gene 27 Alta Genetics 6 Attaview Jerseys 10 Bushlea Jerseys 15 Central Gippsland JBC 21 CRV 23 DeLaval 11 First Choice Investments 22 Gelbeado Park 14 Genetics Australia 18-19 Glenjuristan Jerseys 26 Goulburn Murray JBC 29 Inverell Jerseys 25 Kooroo Jerseys 26 Morningside Jerseys 11 Northern District JBC 17 Semex BC Shirlinn Jerseys 7 Sth Gippsland JBC IFC Viking Genetics 31 Wallacedale Jerseys FC WWS/Genetics Australia IBC

Editorial and Advertising to: CLARK GRAFFIX Sharon Clark – PO Box 1576, Shepparton VICTORIA 3632 T: 0437 066 077 | F: 03 5821 0165 | E: jersey@clarkgraffix.com PO BOX 292, ASCOT VALE, VIC 3032 Telephone: (03) 9370 9105 Fax: (03) 9370 9116 Email: jersey@jersey.com.au www.jersey.com.au Pre-Press Editor & Graphic Design: Sharon Clark - Clark Graffix Printed by: Shepparton Printing Service P/L (03) 5821 4707 Email: sps@shepprint.com.au NEW SOUTH WALES State Secretary - Milton Johnston Phone: (02) 6552 5915 Fax: (02) 6552 5915 johnston_jersey@yahoo.com.au

QUEENSLAND State Secretary - Diane Reeves Phone: (07) 5485 4585 Work: (07) 3221 3182 Fax: (07) 5485 4575 Email: ajbsqld@bigond.com SOUTH AUSTRALIA State Secretary - Amy McDonald PO Box 13, Greenock SA 5360 Phone (08) 8562 8113 Fax (08) 8562 8520 Email: carcoola@chariot.net.au TASMANIA State Secretary - Max McCormack PO Box 1258, Devonport TAS 7310 Phone: (03) 6424 1250 Mobile: 0409 252 232 Email: pegandmax@southcom.com.au

VICTORIA State Secretary - Andrew Younger 50 Zeerust School Rd, Zeerust Vic 3634 Ph: 03 5829 8352 Mob: 0409 572 484 Email: motor5@bigpond.com GENETIC RECOVERY OFFICERS Chris MacKenzie (Western Districts) 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 Susan Lutey Feast Rd, Serpentine WA 6125 Phone: (08) 9525 2407 hope1@iinet.net.au

Opinions expressed in The Australian Jersey Journal are not necessarily those of Jersey Australia Inc or its Board of Management 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.

JJ JERSEY AUSTRALIA

T

by Scott Joynson

Behind the Scenes

his issue comes to you just prior to the Jersey Australia 2012 Annual General meeting which is being hosted by the South Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club between May 28 and May 30th. The itinerary appears on the inside front coverof this issue and I congratulate the organising committee for all the work they have done on what looks to be an amazing ‘must attend’ Jersey conference.

I for one can’t wait to be part of the 100 year Celebrations for the SGJBC, be part of the crowd at the ‘Devondale 100 Years of Jersey Excellence Sale’ and listen to an array of great speakers which includes an international expert who believes Jersey’s offer climate conscious nations a low impact cow and has scientific evidence to back the claim.

The positive news for Jersey’s here in Australia just keeps on coming during 2012.

Congratulations to Eloora Pastoral for winning Supreme Jersey at IDW but furthermore for being the first Jersey to go on and win the Interbreed.

The Jersey Showcase Sale was a record breaker averaging $5032 with a fantastic crowd bidding on another very good catalogue. On top of this we still have Elders, Austrex, Landmark and Wellard’s Rural Exports putting together Jersey shipments to overseas buyers which effectively sets a floor price for our livestock at domestic sales.

Jersey Australia members were very active during 2011 despite the strange conditions whereby Western Australia was stricken by drought while the bulk of Eastern Australia battled flood waters.

Our Board set a goal of 15,000 registrations for the year which was met and surpassed achieving 16,014 by 29th February. Many thanks to all of you who submitted registrations in what is our biggest year for well over a decade.

Classification was also well supported during the year with 5556 animals assessed which is up 13% on the previous year where we scored 4912 animals for our members. Unfortunately, though the 2yr old linear type evaluations (LTE) assessments conducted on behalf of AB companies dropped by 50% during the year which is of grave concern for Jersey progeny testing in Australia. It may be time for Jersey Australia members to focus their support on companies who continue to support local bull progeny testing.

Jersey Australia entered an alliance with Dairy Futures CRC, who with the aid of the Department of Primary Industries staff processed over 4000 Jersey hair samples from cows selected from herd testing member herds. This research program came to be known as the Jernomics Project and was all about adding reliability to a small Jersey data reference set. The reference set in turn would be the basis of Jersey genomic ABV’s that will be released some time in 2012.

Congratulations to all members who took part in this project. I know it wasn’t an easy task but your efforts provide the basis for a raft of new Genomic testing technology and a whole new way of assessing the genetic merit of Jersey calves in the very near future.

It’s not all about the future, Jersey Australia also tackled the issue of getting old records covered with dust added to the computer

database. The first steps were taken to fund the conversion of over 300,000 records from microfiche tapes to a format that can be read by modern computers.

This is the first and an expensive step toward preserving our archive. It is hoped that industry funding may be found in the coming year to help Jersey Australia get these records added to our mainframe.

Industry funding comes from many areas during the Jersey Australia year but none more timely than funds provided by Central Sires during 2011.

The success experienced by the local Jersey progeny testing group was directly shared throughout the Jersey Australia membership via cattle club event sponsorship, show society sponsorships and direct financial support given to Jersey Australia projects.

The largest of CSC funded projects was the iJersey online database service which was launched during 2011 and now has over 145 registered users regularly viewing, downloading and researching Jersey records.

This service is invaluable to Herd Testing organisations, AB Companies and International Societies as well as providing our members with the tool to research animals offered at multi vendor sales, check herd listing details for accuracy or find progeny by specific cows or bulls of interest.

Finally, and despite all the internal positive news it seems a shame to have inform our members that Jersey Australia posted a loss for the 2011/12 financial year. Full details of the loss will be circulated in the Annual Report during April.

The Board has taken the steps of raising traditional fees for the first time in many years as a means of addressing the administration shortfall and have sought professional investment advice on the structure of all Jersey Australia assets for the coming year.

The Board believes these two measures along with tighter control on costs should see the organisation post a more favourable result in 2012/13.

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Design: Sharon Clark

JJ SHOWS

Sydney Royal Show 2012

Reserve senior champion female with judge Patrick Nicholson, Girgarre, Vic, Jason Sutherland, International Animal Health, and Rocky Allan, Bega, NSW,

8 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

Junior Champion Female DJ & SM Mayo Regal Park Ontime Laramie Reserve Junior Champion Female B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Governor Eve Honourable Mention B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Reagan Melys

Three Females, Not Necessarily By The One Sire, Not Over 2Yrs, Owned By The Exhibitor.

1 K&M Atkins 2 J Quin Female, Under 2.4yrs, In Milk.

1 B Gavenlock Bralock Special Force Merle 2 J Quin, Orana Illustrator Silverfinch 3 S Relf, Fairvista Comerica Charlie Female, 2.4-2.8yrs, In Milk.

1 T Wilson & A Forbes Avon Valley Blackstone Carol 2 J Quin, Orana Iatola Memory 3 K&M Atkins, Kendale Comerica Moya 4 B&V Wilson & Family, Shirlinn Brc Lilac Female, 2.8-3yrs, In Milk.

1 B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Free Dawn 2 B Gavenlock, Bralock Connection Merle 3 K&M Atkins, Kendale Blackstone Finch 4 J Quin, Orana Golden Sunshine Vg Best Intermediate Udder.

B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Free Dawn

above: Supreme champion cow at Sydney Royal show 2012, Shirlinn Icy Eve with Katherine Gould, UK presenting the sash to Lindsay, Tod and Brian Wilson, Tamworth, NSW, and Vicki Wilson, accepting the trophy from Michael Kenny, CEO, RAS of NSW. right: Shirlinn Icy Eve.

RESULTS Heifer, 6-8mths 1 K&M Atkins Kendale Rapid Noelene 2 C&P Dickinson, Foxton PP June Heifer, 8-12mths 1 B&V Wilson & Family, Shirlinn Governor Eve 2 B Gavenlock, Bralock Kenedy’s Kookie 3 C O’Meara Salvation Excitation Regal ET 4 J Quin, Orana Governor Ilagay Heifer, 12-16mths 1 DJ & SM Mayo Regal Park Ontime Laramie 2 B Gavenlock, Strongbark Governor Jess 3 K Atkins & T Wilson & A Forbes Bralock Resurrection Merle

3 J Quin, Orana T Bone Silverfinch 4 J Quin, Orana Blackstone Serenade

4 K Rush, Siesta Power Peggy Heifer, 16-20mths 1 B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Reagan Melys 2 B Gavenlock, Bralock Whistler Merle 3 K&M Atkins, Kendale Action Gem 4 C&P Dickinson, Wollingurry Mp Illusion Heifer, 20-24mths 1 C O’Meara, Salvation Brc Noella 2 L&J Micallef Tabandu Minister Shamrock ET

Intermediate champion cow with Carmen Nicholson, Girgarre, Vic and exhibitor Brian Wilson, Tamworth , NSW.

Intermediate Champion Female B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Free Dawn Reserve Intermediate Champion Female B Gavenlock, Bralock Connection Merle Honourable Mention T Wilson & A Forbes Avon Valley Blackstone Carol Three Females, not necessarily by the one sire, not over 3yrs, owned by the exhibitor.

1 B&V Wilson & Family 2 J Quin 3 B Gavenlock

Reserve champion intermediate with Brad Gavenlock, Berry, NSW, and wife of the judge Carmen Nicholson, Girgarre, Vic.

Juvenile champion Jersey with Jim Conroy, Semex Australia, sashing the winner held by Ashley Mayo, Gerringong, NSW

Female, Over 3yrs, In Calf, Dry. 1 J Quin, Orana Golden Silverfinch Ex 2 J Ritter, Mirboo Silver Liz Highest Total Kgs Fat Plus Protein J Quin, Orana Golden Silverfinch Ex Female, 3-4yrs, In Milk.

1 B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Connection Priscilla 2 K&M Atkins, Llowena Connect Reggie 3 B Gavenlock, Kathleigh Dreamer Greta Highest Total Kgs Fat Plus Protein K&M Atkins, Llowena Connect Reggie Female, 4-5yrs, In Milk.

1 B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Badger Wren 2 B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Brookbi Priscilla 3 RJ & SC Brown and MV & SG Smith Foxton Centurion Belle ET

Reserve champion juvenile heifer with Grace Jeffries, Kempsey, NSW, being sashed by Jim Conroy, Semex Australia.

Highest Total Kgs Fat Plus Protein B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Badger Wren Female, 5-6yrs, In Milk.

1 B&V Wilson & Family, Shirlinn Icy Eve 2 B Gavenlock, Bralock Country Merle 3 J Quin, Orana Legion Sunshine Vg Highest Total Kgs Fat Plus Protein B Gavenlock, Bralock Country Merle Female, Over 6yrs, In Milk.

1 C O’Meara, Misty Glen Banjos Belle 2 J Quin, Orana Hallmark Ilagay4 Ex 3 J Quin, Orana Sultans Memory Vg Highest Total Kgs Fat Plus Protein J Quin, Orana Hallmark Ilagay 4 Ex Best Senior Udder - Female, over 3yrs B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Icy Eve

Pen of Three Females 1 B&V Wilson & Family 2 Ken & Margaret Atkins 3 J Quin Dam’s Progeny Group 1 B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Flower Eve 2 B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Malcolms Priscilla 3 J Quin, Orana Lemvig Sunshine Ex Five Females, Any Age. 1 B&V Wilson & Family 2 J Quin 3 Rj & Sc Brown & Mv & Sg Smith Senior Champion Female B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Icy Eve Reserve Senior Champion Female C O’Meara Misty Glen Banjos Belle Honourable Mention B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Connection Priscilla

Most Successful Jersey Breeder and Exhibitor - B&V Wilson & Family Best Maintained Jersey Team, 2-5 Head J Ritter, Mirboo Silver Liz Best Maintained Jersey Team, Over Five Head.

B Gavenlock, Bralock Connection Merle Supreme Champion Dairy Female B&V Wilson & Family Shirlinn Icy Eve

A.I. Training for ABS China customers In late March, two ABS Australia AI technicians travelled to China to conduct 18 days of artificial insemination training for four ABS China customers. Matt Aikenhead, RMS Manager, and Neville Pulham, Warrnambool District Sales Manager, are well qualified as they have many years of AI experience and training between them.

The dairy groups involved were Modern, Sanyuan, Huishan and Yili. Together, the four groups represent over 250,000 cows milked at multiple sites across China.

The purpose of the trip was to assist these ABS China customers to develop world best practice standard operating procedures for their artificial insemination technicians.

Trainees of all ability levels were invited to attend the training programs. The training was conducted over three days with a number of trainees from each group, covering both theory and practical sessions, followed by assessment of trainee ability.

The ability of trainees ranged from just starting out to trained technicians with many years experience. For those trainees with an already high level of AI knowledge, training sessions also incorporated a theory module which highlighted the importance of the transition period and management options to optimize this period.

Irrespective of basic ability, all the technicians benefited from the uniform procedural approach which was taught to

Matt Aikenhead demonstrates the AI procedure to a group of trainees

them by Matt and Neville. This is the same approach which is trained out to all ABS Australia technicians in Australia.

Facilities and farming practices in China very are not different to those seen throughout the world in high production housed dairying operations. For this reason, the managers of these farms find it very necessary to ensure that their employees have the necessary AI skills to achieve at a high level. ABS Australia is proud to be able to help accomplish this now, and into the future.

n

Jersey Journal – May/June 2012 9

Design: Sharon Clark

Brush up on cow comfort

with the DeLaval Swinging Cow Brush The swinging cow brush is designed to improve cow health, comfort and welfare.

The brush, which starts to rotate on contact, is a revolution in cow care and comfort. With a unique brush that rotates at an animal friendly speed, it swings freely in all directions, up and over and along providing comfort and stimulation all round. The brush stimulates blood circulation whilst helping keep the cow clean and calm. Cows in good health produce more milk and with the DeLaval swinging cow brush your cows health will be well looked after.

www.delaval.com.au

words: Michael Porteus

Australian Jersey Journal continues its series on classification discussing the five traits in a cow’s middle section with Jersey Australia classification panel member Roger Heath:

Jerseys score on length, depth and width A

fter they gain an overall picture of a cow’s “dairyness”, Jersey Australia classifiers score her different traits in a report they can discuss with breeders.

The classifiers score five traits in a cow’s middle section: • body length • rib • loin • chest, and • body depth.

Jersey Australia classification panel member Roger Heath likes to see plenty of length in the middle section of a cow between her shoulders and hip bone.

“If the cow has got plenty of length in the body with a good spring-of-rib, then there is plenty of room for her feed to be processed into milk,” he says.

“For a cow to have plenty of length and spring to her rib, then she generally needs a good strong loin to hold up all of the feed that she’s converting.”

Roger says this is important to a cow’s productive longevity: “A weak loin means a broken-down cow in my view.”

He says that a cow has to have plenty of chest width, “that gives her plenty of room for a big heart”.

“Given the amount of blood that a cow has to pump to produce the milk, then the cow needs plenty of heart room.

“No chest width to me is a small heart, frail cow, and short life span.”

Roger says a cow also needs plenty of body depth for fore-udder attachment: “If the cow has no body depth, then it is quite likely she will have a poor foreudder attachment, and therefore the cow isn’t going to be around very long.

“If she has got good body depth, then she has got room for a good capacity udder capable of producing lots of good Jersey milk.”

12 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

Roger grew up with Jerseys Roger says he is fortunate to have lived with Jerseys all his life at the Wanstead Jersey Stud founded in 1943 by his great grandmother and his grandfather Peter Heath Snr. “Having lost his father at an early age, my grandfather and his mother got the stud going, and it has been in my family ever since,” Roger says.

“It seems that I fell in love with the Jersey cow long before I left school. I knew that I wanted to be a dairy farmer and I wanted to milk Jersey cows.

“So at the age of 15, after completing year ten at the Cobden Technical School, I took on a dairy apprenticeship at the Wanstead Jersey Stud, which was run by my grandfather and my parents.

“After completing my apprenticeship, I continued on as an employee and now I’m a part owner of the Wanstead Jersey Trust as a trustee.

“My grandfather was always responsible for most of the cattle duties, and

over time I have taken over that responsibility.”

Roger says Peter Heath Snr was a Jersey classifier who was president of the Australian Jersey Herd Society in 196970.

He also judged at many major shows.

“I guess you could say the love of the Jersey cow is in my blood,” Roger says.

The Wanstead Jersey Stud is located about 15km north of Camperdown, about 200km west of Melbourne.

The 650-acre dryland farm now milks 200 registered Jerseys.

“After having got to 300 cows about four years, ago, we had to decrease in size due to the drought conditions,” Roger says.

“We plan on increasing numbers back up to about 300 in the next few years.

“The farm has the potential to milk around 350 cows, and also rear all replacements at home.

“There is also the potential for irrigation at some stage, and no doubt this will happen in the not-too-distant future.”

Roger became a classifier after the then Jersey Australia classification convenor Alan Carsons in 2002 asked him to come to a “class” field day.

After a few field days, Roger did a probationary tour in Gippsland with classifier Jim Parker. He was ready to do his first solo tour in 2005.

“I really enjoyed it, and I still do,” he says.

“It’s great to get out and see other people’s cows and to talk to them about breeding goals.

“You meet some great people, and you see lots of different country side.

“You also get to see which bulls are doing a good job.”

Roger says breeders should expect that when he arrives to classify, he will be eager to see what the cows are like and to find out what bulls the farm uses.

“They should expect me to look for a cow that is displaying dairyness and strength,” Roger says.

“In my mind, this is a combination that must go together, especially in the environment we milk cows in here in Australia.”

JERSEY AUSTRALIA FEES - AS AT APRIL 2012 REGISTRATION FEES 0 - 3 Months Male or Female 3 - 6 Months Male or Female 6 Months + Male or Female Associate Members (5 registrations per year) Telephone Emergency Registrations Surcharge Bulls Born after July 1st 2007 - Dam must be classified.

Bulls Born to a GR cow cannot be registered GENETIC RECOVERY Live animals (1st Year) Dead Animals Jersey Marketing Service Discount Registration Fees 0 - 3 Months Male or Female CGU Farmpak Insurance + $500 Semen purchase 0 - 3 Months Male or Female $2000 Semen purchase TRANSFER CHARGES Within Family Within Syndicate Under $1000

Total $12.10 each $14.30 each $18.70 each $18.70 each $55.00 Total $7.70 each No Charge

$11.00 each $11.00 each No Charge No Charge $16.50

Roger says he appreciates good cows no matter what breed, but Jerseys are the best converters of feed to milk.

He thinks the breed is now at an exciting stage.

“We are breeding high-production, greattype cows that are lasting a long time.

“There is no sense in breeding high milk-flow cows that are only going to be around for two or three years.

“I think that if breeders continue to select bulls that are leaving daughters with plenty of width through the chest and depth of rib without forfeiting dairyness, then the breed will continue to strive forward.”

$1000-$1999 $22.00 $2000-$2999 $33.00 $3000+ 2% of the Sale price Bulls to AI Companies $38.50 Replacement Pedigree Certificates Incorrect Information reprint No Charge Whole Herd (per animal) $1.10 Individual Animal $2.75 AI Company $5.50 MEMBERSHIP Family $220.00 Full or Syndicate $198.00 Junior $88.00 Associate $99.00 Jersey Journal Subscriber (Aus & OS) $71.50 CLASSIFICATION Herd Visit fee $44.00 Adult Cows $12.10 per head Animals resubmitted $12.10 per head 2 year olds (all) $ 7.70 per head 2 year olds (selected) $12.10 per head Jersey Journal – May/June 2012 13

Gelbeado Park

selling at the Devondale 100 Years of Excellence Sale - Monday, May 28th Gelbeado Park Navara

Photo: Ross Easterbrook

Bonita

88pts-2yrs

• Her first lactation saw her reach 6000 litres with an ASI of 196, ranking her 16th nationally.

• Her April born Elton son is under Genomic consideration by numerous AB companies • First in class - Leading Edge Genetics Challenge 2011 < her dam: KINGS VALE KODY BONITA (pictured) • 1st IDW 2009 2.5yrs in milk • Leading Edge Genetics Champion Cow 2010 • 4th in class IDW 2011 • Set to reach back to back lactations over 9000 litres.

Gelbeado Park

Paul & Lisa Mumford 100 Greig's Creek Road, Won Wron, ViCtoRia 3971 tel: 03 51891391 Lisa 0429 891 391 • Paul 0438 890 222 email : mumfordpl@bigpond.com

Artwork: Sharon Clark / Photos: Bradley Cullen & Ross Easterbrook

BUSHLEA

Keith and Pat Kuhne - Leongatha, VIC Ph: 03 5664 2235 – Email: bushlea@activ8.net.au

Wayne and Lisa Kuhne – Koonwarra, VIC JD SCORE 7 Ph: 03 5664 2403 – Email: bushleafarms@bigpond.com.au

words: Michael Porteus

Jerseys thrive in steep country at Valleyrose “I don’t think you’ll ever be an expert,” he says. “But you can be a judge as long as you know what you have got to look for.”

Scott and Renae Connell with daughters Layla aged three and Makayla aged nine months, and their 2011 on-farm challenge reserve champion Valleyrose Saber Precious.

Of course he looks for good feet and legs in a Jersey that has to get around places like Dorrigo.

But he also looks for good spring-of-rib, good angle, and always a good udder.

Although he agrees that the Jerseys’ smaller stature gives them more manoeuvrability, he is also relaxed about breeding programs that will produce “a bigger sort of Jersey”.

He says Jerseys have to keep up the breeding trends of the past 15 or 20 years which have enabled them to keep their high components, and give a lot more milk.

N

EW Jersey judge Scott Connell jokes that one of the reasons he favours the breed is that they do better in “goat country” like his farm in the foothills of the Dorrigo plateau, inland from Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales mid north coast.

“We’ve got fairly steep country,” says Scott of the 280ha farm where he milks about 160 Jerseys, Holsteins and crossbreeds with his wife Renae and parents Matt and Lyn.

The cows graze up to two kilometres from the dairy, and walk on tracks across the slopes of the sub-tropical volcanic plateau where NSW highest rainfall nurtures a Gondwana rainforest World Heritage Area.

“We always find the Jerseys are always the first ones back to the dairy, or always the first ones to the paddock,” Scott says.

“The Friesians sort of lazily make their way – the Jerseys have got a lot more get up and go in them.”

16 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

Scott can joke that it’s goat country, because it is also the home of the Beautizone Jersey breeders club. This club used to cover a fair slice of the NSW north coast, but has now contracted to include only six farms around Dorrigo.

Scott grew up on the farm. He left to become a greenkeeper at the nearby Bellingen Golf Course for six years after he left school, but was eventually drawn back to dairying. Scott and Renae are now the third generation to have the Valleyrose prefix.

Renae grew up at the Llowena Jersey Stud at Bowraville. Scott met her at an on-farm challenge run by the Beautizone club. They had a Valentines Day wedding in Bellingen, and now have two children.

Scott took up a chance to become a Jersey judge in a program held by the Beautizone club in coordination with the NSW branch of Jersey Australia.

He had to judge pens of four Jersey cows and heifers at five different farms, and submit his judgements to a panel which confirmed that he had graduated as a Jersey judge.

“We always use bulls with a plus in stature,” Scott says, “mainly because a Jersey is a smaller breed, and its very hard to get a big Jersey.”

Scott and his family have also participated in their club’s on-farm challenge for the past five years and have had the champion cow for the past three years.

In 2009, it was Llowena Megastar Elenor (excellent 92 points). In 2010 and 2011, it was Llowena Saratoga Carly (excellent 92 points). The Connells also had the 2011 reserve champion, Valleyrose Saber Precious (excellent 92 points).

They also have their herd classified.

Highlights last year were Valleyrose Valerian Showgirl (88 points at a maximum of two years), Llowena Saratoga Carly (excellent 92 points), Valleyrose Saber Precious (excellent 92 points), and Valleyrose Centurion Opal (excellent 90 points at three years).

Scott is currently using bulls Action, Premier and Flowerpower.

He has have heifers on the ground by Action, Spirit, Governor, BW Surefire, Criace and BW Special Forces.

Balingen Park Jerseys

BROADLIN JERSEYS

“Little Cows - Big Attitude”!

Kieron & Melissa Eddy 685 Hooper Road, Tatura, 3616 Ph: 0427 061 705 balingen_eddy@bigpond.com

Lynton and Lisa, Toni, Gavin and Cassie Broad

EURARIE JERSEYS

Jimann Jerseys

Charles & Carolyn Smith 80 Rathbone Road, St Germains 3620 Ph: 03 5826 0325 andesholsteins@bigpond.com.au

Brookbora Jerseys Robert and Sandra Bacon Tennyson Vic 3572 03 5488 2323 - 0429 333 119 bacons@brookbora.com.au www.brookbora.com.au

Bercar Jersey Stud

388 Johnson Road, LOCKINGTON 3563 03 5486 2624 - 0427 862 624 lisa.broad@bigpond.com

Trevor & Julie Campbell

286 Lowe Rd Rochester 3561 PH: (03) 5484 1624 jimann1@bigpond.com

Dalbora Genetics Robert & Sandra Bacon Daryl & Maria Collins

Tennyson Vic 3572 0427 882 227 - 0429 333 119 info@dalboragenetics.com.au www.dalboragenetics.com.au

Bernie and Carol McManus 252 Bamawm Rd Bamawm. 3561 Ph: 03 5483 2245 e-mail bercar3561@bigpond.com

SUNSHINE FARM JERSEYS N R & J M McDonald 715 Andrews Rd Kyabram 3620 Ph: 03 5855 2516 - 0428 992 450 janelleabbey@hotmail.com

LincoLndeLL Jerseys Ron and Val Read & Family 167 Panoo Road Lockington 3563

Utopia Jerseys

SHENSTONE JERSEY STUD

Gordon & Lyn Emmett 12 Curr Road, Stanhope Ph: 03 5857 2629 lynemmett@bigpond.com.au .....breeding since 1930

Craigielea Jerseys

Bill, Kaye and Andrew Cochrane 836 Hansen Rd, Bamawm, 3561

Ph: 03 5486 5474

craigielea3@bigpond.com

Gailee Jerseys Norm & Dawn Stone 489 Hill Rd Stanhope Ph: 03 5857 2399 gaileeadsl@bigpond.com

JUGIONG JERSEYS Rockleigh Park Nicholson Family Curr Rd Girgarre 3624 Ph/fax 03 5854 6393 Pat 03 5854 6513 jugiong@bigpond.com.au

Jerseys

Stewart Mancer 2/1 Moama Court, Moama Ph: 0429 882 201 rockleighpark@bigpond.com

Jared & Courtney Ireland 53 Hewlett Lane, Lockington.

Ph: 03 5486 2694 courtney.wagner@bigpond.com

Silhouette Jerseys Richard & Ann Worboys Echuca Mitiamo Rd • Kotta Ph: 03 5483 7500 info@silhouettefarm.biz

Sybilgrove & Summer Spirit Jerseys Collins Family 202 McColl Road, Ballendella 3561 Ph/Fax: 03 5486 5393

Benlock Jersey Stud Bryan & Lee Rushton 79 Brooks Rd Rochester 3861 Ph: 03 5484 1551 benlockj@dodo.com.au

WINDY WAYS JERSEYS Frank Walsh 41 A Finlay Road, Tongala VIC 3621 Ph: 03 5859 0532 Mobile: 0418 576 856 Email: frankwalsh3@bigpond.com

NortherN District Jersey BreeDers cluB

Presdient: Bill Cochrane 03 5486 5474 Secretary: Lisa Broad 03 5486 2624

The search for top proven J The 2012 Horizon Progeny Test Team is In 2009 Jersey Australia and Genetics Australia signed an agreement to work together on promoting the importance of local Jersey progeny testing programs for the Australian Industry. Other key points of this agreement were to search for and develop new high performance cow families and grow the acceptance and use of Jersey progeny test semen in structured breeding programs in Jersey herds around Australia.

I am very pleased to see that many of our goals have been met with the release of the 2012 progeny test team. The quality of the team speaks for itself and when you look through the cow families represented it is easy to see why we are confident the Jersey breed will continue to have a strong place in the Australian dairy industry.

Jersey Australia encourages all Breeders to include some of these young bulls in 2012 bull selections.

It is only through the strength of an Australia based progeny test program can we ensure an ongoing supply of top proven bulls and wider acceptance of the Australia proven bull both within Australia on the world stage.

Wallacedale Jace Melaine 2 EX 91 > Grand Dam of SATNAV [CSCNAVARA]

Nowell Power Sandy Sup 92 HER DAUGHTER

Nowell Man Sandy Ex90 > Same cow family as TAILBOARD, SANDBLAST, AYLA [VANAHLEM], SEGA [LARFALOT], SAGE [LARFALOT] and STREZLECKI [LARFALOT] > Team’10 sires RACEWAY [VALERIAN], ROUNDHILL [VALERIAN] and SOVANN [SPIRITUAL]

Join me in ordering semen today.

Trevor Saunders President – Jersey Australia

Both CONARA [s.CSCNAVARA] and his maternal brother AUSSIEGOLD [s.ELTON] are members of Team 2012 and photographed with their Dam Broadlin Constance 2565 P EX-91.

Broadlin Constance 2565 P EX 91 > Dam of AUSSIEGOLD [ELTON] and CONARA [CSCNAVARA]

Jersey genetics continues backed by some of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best cows and cow families Broadlin Ilagay 2504 EX 90 > Full sister to Broadlin Ilagay 2499 and dam of TOMTOM [CSCNAVARA]

Daraway Taranak Vanessa Supp 92 EX7 HER DAUGHTER

JERSEY

JERSEY

Broadlin Ilagay 2499 86 2yrs > Dam of ABERIAN [VALERIAN]

PROGE

PROGENY

TEST 20 12

T 2012 NY TES

Daraway Flowerpower Vanessa 88 2yrs > Flowerpower Vanessa is a full sister to BARTPOWER and CSCNAVARA and the dam of VANHALEM > Same cow family as SPANNER [ELTON], VANMUR [Murmur], VELCRO [ELTON] and VOLATILE [LARFALOT]

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