Cows crowned in challenge

ANOTHER successful Semex on farm challenge was held in October, with more than 200 cows entered from 21 farms spread right across South Gippsland.
The Holstein Friesian Association of Victoria South Gippsland Sub Branch held the presentation night in October in Inverloch.
This year, the judge was Glen Gordon of Gorebro Holsteins from Cohuna.
The highest pointed cow was Hill Valley Planet Noni, owned by the Perrett family.
Other winners included Peter and Jenna Price for their mature cow and three year old cow and Ash and Jane Harrison for their two year old cow and four year old cow.
The Perrett family also won the five year old cow section and Les, Louise and Tim Calder won the sire’s progeny group.
South Gippsland sub branch president Stuart Mackie said the on farm challenge is like a show, except they take the judge to the cows and not the other way around.
“The competition is judged on the functional traits of a cow. Each cow is given points on specific traits. The cow with the highest points in each class is the winner,” he said.
“There are five classes and the first and second place getter from each class goes on to the Victorian Championship, which started judging last week.”
Mr Mackie said farmers often prefer the on farm challenge as there is nowhere near the work required to get the cows prepared compared to an actual show.
“The farmers really enjoy that we bring the judge to them. Some of the bigger farms these days just don’t have time for showing,” he said.
“Doing well in the challenge is good advertising for breeders.”
At the presentation, a centenary medallion was presented to Ross Berryman, who has been a member of the South Gippsland sub branch for 32 years.
Mr Berryman was secretary and treasurer from 1980 to 1986 and again from 1889 to 1994, when the branch had 160 members.

Winners: Roger and Helen Perrett with judge Glen Gordon (left). The Perrett family were winners of the five year old cow section as well as highest pointed cow.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Nov 25 2014. Filed under Rural News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry