International Dairy Week promises to be bigger and better this year with new features planned to build on the event’s reputation as one of the world’s leading dairy shows. The event to be held at Tatura, Vic, starts on Sunday, January 17, and runs through to Thursday, January 21.
Event manager Robyn Barber said a real highlight for the shows this year would be the awarding of the prestigious Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria’s (RASV) dairy interbreed champions for the first time. The awards of junior interbreed champion, intermediate interbreed champion and Australia’s grand champion will be made during the Holstein judging on the Thursday of the event. Ms Barber said the number of cattle to be shown was on a par with previous years with about 880 head entered. The number of exhibitors was also similar with 188 vying for honours this year.
However, due to a change in the way the event was being organized, the number of entries on paper would appear lower than previous years. Ms Barber said for the first time this year exhibitors could buy clipping frame space in the sheds; in the past exhibitors had put in additional entries that they never intended to show to give them more space in the sheds. Another new feature this year would be the Victorian show societies junior judging and junior handler state finals, to be held on the Sunday. This features finalists from events held at smaller shows around the state with the winners going on to represent Victoria in the national competitions.
Ms Barber said IDW was a great opportunity for families in the dairy industry to get together. “It is not until you go out in and amongst where all the cows are kept and you see how much enjoyment people get while they are there and they have in seeing each other again,” she said. “A lot of people often don’t get off their farms, and IDW is their holiday event.” The event was also a boon for the local area. A recent City of Greater Shepparton study estimated the event tipped $2.2 million into the local community. “That’s fantastic, particularly for the local businesses,” Ms Barber.
By: Carlene Dowie
Source: Adf.online