Sienna Ross from Katamatite with her cow Hannah at International Dairy Week. Youth competition events started at Tatura on Sunday, January 14.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
International Dairy Week has kicked off with renewed interest and the promise of milder temperatures throughout the week.
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Cow numbers and entries have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels and the youth competitions, held at Tatura Park on Sunday, January 14 and Monday, January 15, attracted strong entries.
The youth trials alone, held on Sunday as a warm-up, drew 130 participants from four states.
Organisers said there were 850 cows on site and more than 1100 entries to participate in Australia’s premier dairy event.
Maximum temperatures for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be less than 30℃, a prediction that event coordinator Stacey Leppert described as promising.
However, lest anyone get the wrong idea, readers can be assured that while the owners might be sweating, the cows will be fan-cooled, resting in straw-lined stalls, sheltered from the sun and eating the finest forage their masters can provide.
The week’s judging panel will have a strong international flavour with representation from the United States and Canada.
Among the list will be Jessica Gavenlock from Congupna, who runs a boarding and management business for elite cattle, and who will be judging the Sheri Martin Youth Showmanship classes.
On Tuesday, the Ayrshires and the Guernseys will take to the arena, followed by the Brown Swiss and the Jersey heifers.
A lot of attention will be focused on the Wednesday and Thursday competition when the Jerseys and Holsteins will compete.
The cattle auction to be held on Wednesday night also attracts considerable interest.
A granddaughter of the world’s highest ever priced cow will be among the 37 lots at the ST Genetics sale.
Tamzin Bell from Blighty with Kit Spark Shannon belonging to Kit Davidson at International Dairy Week. Photos: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Sarah Lloyd from Kyabram attends to clipping with the Eagle Direct Dairy Farmers Victoria team at the youth trials.
Addilyn and Miles Leeder, aged 1, were among the crowd visiting the cattle sheds.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Georgia Herne from Nowra grooming Murray Brook Solomon Canvace.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Simon Atkins from Dorrigo helping to keep the cows comfortable in the stalls.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Terese Baley from Queensland washing Fondue, a cow from Bacchus Marsh.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
18°C