For the first time since 2011, Australia will host the World Jersey Conference with Jersey farmers and enthusiasts from four continents converging in Melbourne next week.
Jersey Australia will host the three-week conference, attracting visitors from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Jersey Islands, South Africa and Colombia. The tour starts in Melbourne on April 6, finishing in Sydney on April 22, taking visitors across the Gippsland, south-west and northern regions of Victoria and the New South Wales south coast.
Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said participants would see some of the best Jersey herds in the world. “I think everyone will be impressed by the Australian Jersey and the Australian hospitality,” Mr Barrett said. “Australia has a world-leading Jersey population and we will be visiting some of the premier herds, including some that guests may not have seen before. Every herd will tell a terrific story.”
The tour will include visits to the top BPI herds, master breeder herds and several younger farmers starting to make a mark on the Jersey scene. It will also include visits to the 63rd annual Central Gippsland Jersey Fair, Ellinbank Smart Farm, Burra Foods, Total Livestock Genetics and Agribio research facility.
Guests can also participate in the annual Jersey Elite Awards, which recognise master breeders, elite cows and bulls and announce the Great Australian Challenge winners. The Dairy’s Finest sale will be on April 14 at Moama.
Guests will also hear about Jerseys in the South African dairy Industry, a research project by Daviesways on regenerative farming and the advantages offered by Jersey cows. Young scientist Mikayla Crouch, the first recipient of the Australian Dairy Youth Travel Scholarship to study at the University of Dublin as part of her Ag Science Genetics major will be a presenter.
The tour is happening at an opportune time with Jerseys increasing their share of the Australian dairy market over the past decade. The latest DataGene statistics show Jerseys are continuing a steady rise in popularity. The Australian national herd data recorded a two per cent increase in the number of Jersey cattle during the past year and eight per cent in the last decade, rising to a total of approximately 17.4pc.
The World Jersey Cattle Bureau represents Jersey breeders, and their organisations, around the world. There are five world regions of the Bureau – Africa, Asia/Oceana, Europe, Latin America and North America. World conferences have been held since 1949.
Mr Barrett said the tour was made possible by the support of premium sponsor Genetics Australia, platinum sponsor Zoetis and many gold, silver and bronze sponsors.
