Australian dairy history was created in Singleton last week at the Wake family’s Benleigh Brown Swiss sale when a new Australian record breed price of $31,000 was paid for a two-year-old heifer.
The Wake Family, Master Breeders and life members of the Brown Swiss Breed in Australia, held their 50 Years of Benleigh Brown Swiss sale at the Singleton Showground, and not only was there a record top price, but there was also a record Australian Breed set for the average price of $8100 for the 51 lots offered.
These two Australian breed records provide clear industry and breed recognition of the Wake’s family dedication to the development of the Brown Swiss breed in Australia and their ongoing commitment to its genetic improvement.
It is a credit to founder Max Wake and his late wife, Robyn, who five decades ago took a leap of faith in the breed and have, alongside their sons Gavin and Andrew, and his wife Sarah, continued that journey with a clear path to establishing one of the country’s leading studs.
Former Guernsey stud breeders, the Wakes have sourced the best Brown Swiss genetics throughout the world, starting first with sires and then, as technology evolved, using ET to improve their herd’s production and type.
The strength of the sale shocked the family with Gavin saying he couldn’t get over how many bids were made right through the catalogue.
“We are just so happy with the outcome and thank everyone for their support from the buyers, underbidders, agents and our workforce,” he said.
The sale topper was paid for the outstanding heifer Benleigh Barco Lorna, a daughter of H.Scherrer’s Haegar Barca, who was sold PTIC sexed to Caviezel. She is from a VG Superstar dam, Benleigh Mission Lorna, EX 91, 4E and was purchased by Brown Swiss enthusiast Isabella Osborne of Kempsey.
The same buyer also selected the equal 2nd top seller Benleigh Albert Sarajevo, VG 86 (on her first lactation), the 2025 Sydney Royal Intermediate Champion at $20,000. She was sired by the homebred sire Benleigh Blooming Albert and was PTIC to Bachmanns BS Owen Darius.
To highlight the depth of buyer support late in the sale, Benleigh Barca Donna, a great young cow from an EX 2E Nescardo dam backed by several IDW & Sydney Champions, was sold again for the equal 2nd top price of $20,000 to the Simpson family, Hunterfield Past Co of Deniliquin. These buyers also selected the ultra milky young cow Benleigh Pete Maureen, VG 86 at $15,000.
Strong buyers throughout the sale were the Dickson family of Terang, Victoria who won Intermediate Champion at IDW 2025 with a Benleigh cow. Included in their sale selections were Benleigh Jinxer Faith, a November calving daughter of the 2025 Sydney Royal Champion cow Benleigh Prince Faith, EX 91 at $18,000, Benleigh Wonderment Margaret, VG 86, a tremendous young cow backed by generations of EX & VG dams at $15,000, Benleigh Albert Genevieve a VG 86 2 year old at $13,000 and the Two Picks of pair lots in Benleigh Ralice Sarajevo a yearling bred from eight generatyion of EX & VG dams at $10,000 and Benleigh Blooming Peggy 4 a great uddered 1st calf heifer backed by three VG then seven generations of EX dams from the famed USA Blessing Peggy line also at $10,000.
Other notable sales included Benleigh Alum Sasha, a yearling from Benleigh Blooming Sasha 6, VG the 2025 Reserve Intermediate Champion at Sydney Royal, and her grand dam was Benleigh Grandslam Sasha, EX 91-2E, sold for $14,000 to Jason Rozynski of Imbil, Qld.
Munden Farms, Nilma, Vic selected Benleigh Phil Bethli a young cow bred back to the four time Sydney Royal Champion Cow Benleigh Ringleader Bethli, EX 92, 6E at $12,500.
While Greg Meyland of Vic paid $10,000 for Benleigh Superst Fantasy, VG 85 on her 1st lact bred down from World Dairy Expo Grand Champion Kruses GK Jade Fantasy Vix, EX 94, 4E.
Reflecting on the sale’s outcome, Gavin said the family felt there was such a keen interest because, apart from breed dispersal sales, buyers rarely had a chance to buy high-quality Brown Swiss genetics in the country.
“We have never had a sale before, so we can see from this result that there is demand for quality Brown Swiss genetics,” he said.
Selling agents Dairy Livestock Services report buyers were from NSW, Vic, Qld and Tasmania and Ireland.
