June/July 2011 - Australian Jersey Breeders Society

only milking 40 cows, focus was on
fl ushing and providing high quality
genetics to breeders on a global scale.
This was a great learning experience as
to how cattle are housed and managed
in Canada as well as their milk quota
system.
‘Through this experience and the
contacts I made in 2007, I had the
opportunity to return June 2009. For the
next 12 months I worked at Rapid Bay
Jersey Stud, in Ormstown, Quebec.
This gave me the chance to work
closely with the owner (Steve Borland)
to manage the 40 milk cows and 100
head of dry stock. A great experience
while there was going with the Rapid
Bay team to the Royal Winter Fair;
where Rapid Bay won 4 In-Milk Classes,
the Reserve Intermediate Champion,
Senior Champion, Grand Champion
and also the Supreme Championship.
The cow that won Supreme Champion
(all breeds) was Vandenburg Amedeo
Gorgeous Ex 97 3E. She is the only
Jersey to win this award, and this was
her second win of this distinguished
title! It was very exciting to be there
and to participate in such a great show.
After leaving Canada I spent some time
touring around Europe with highlights
being the Royal Highland Show in
Scotland, farm tours in Italy and visiting
Jersey Island the home of the breed.
‘The social aspect of showing is a real
plus, it offers a good chance to network
and catch up with friends, while also
seeing lots of great cows. I feel the
same way about travelling, and through
working overseas I have made some
great friends all over the world.
‘Going to the shows is a great way of
marketing your cattle. However, the On-
Farm Challenge is a great competition.
Evaluating cows on farm in their working
environment is unique. I appreciate
the structure of the categories and
scoring – the fi ne detail is descriptive
and captures the individual attributes of
each cow.’
Reece now works fulltime on the home
farm, in a farm manager role. Reece
and his father work closely together.
‘My parents have been really supportive
and patient while I studied and travelled
overseas’ before settling down to work
on the home farm. ‘Now, my long-term
aspiration is to work hard and move
through a progressive succession
plan to eventually take over the home
farm, inclusive of the Holstein herd. I
have an older brother and a younger
sister to think about as well, perhaps
a partnership in the future is possible.
I will continue building a herd balanced
for type and production which will be
achieved through strategic breeding
and selective purchases’. Correct feet
and legs, capacity and quality udders
are all important traits to Reece.
When not working hard on the family
farm, Reece enjoys following the AFL,
and has enjoyed playing sport over the
years – noting that it becomes more
diffi cult to fi nd the time when farming.
‘Playing sport has taken a bit of a backseat
to farming, but I still try to participate
when I can.’ Reece said.
‘Looking forward, I hope to continue to
build my herd and work hard to secure
a future in dairy industry.
NORTHERN LIGHTS SALE 2011
The Legacy Will continue...
The sale was once again a great success, with an overall
average of $3116, the top price being $8000. This is a very
encouraging result for the Jersey breed and the industry.
Cattle sold to various parts of Victoria, NSW and South
Australia. Thank you for your attendance and competitive
bidding.
We wish to thank the Nicholson Family for the use of
their facilities, it is much appreciated and we especially
acknowledge the huge contribution of Pat, our sale
Manager.
We would also like to offer our sincerely thanks to all our
sponsors, and encourage our members to support them
whenever possible.
Semex, Agri-Gene, CRV Australia, Central Sires, ABS,
WWS, Jersey Australia, Ian Chappel Transport, Taylor Made
Cows, Northern Herd Development, Murrels Agriculture
Consultants, , Wellbred Genetics, Genetics Australia,
Shepparton Printing, Southern Stockfeeds, Echuca Town
and Country, ALTA Genetics Australia, NAB Shepparton
and Fonterra.
Our fi tters we thank you for the generous giving of your
time, Glen Gordon, Jon Pearce, Gavin Broad, Tahnee King,
Liam Radford, Ben Padretti and Courtney Buchanan. The
sale couldn’t run without your expert help.
Sale Manager Pat Nicholson 0438 347 737
President Bill Cochrane 03 5486 5474
Secretary Lisa Broad 03 5486 2624
The Northern Lights Sale will be held next
year on April 27th, yes that’s right the date
has been set for 2012, so start looking at your
pedigree’s and mark the date in your diaries.
We look forward to seeing you next year.
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— JerseyJournalJune/July 2011