Producers and buyers travelled from across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland to celebrate the iconic dairy breed.
Show-cow owners were happy to concede the show judging was a cattle “beauty pageant” but buyers took notes before a competitive sale, with single animals sold at an average $4,300.
‘Alleen Jerden Posch’, of ARJ AND KJ Lucas stud, topped the sale at $8250.
Holstein sub-branch president Vaughan Johnson said the breed had changed dramatically over the past 50 years, with today’s prices reflecting the genetically superior herd developed in Australia.
“In the first few years [of the fair] I think they sold four bulls and the price was $320,” he said.
“Over that period we’ve seen animals sell for $30,000 plus in this country.”
Last year Australia celebrated 100 years of the Holstein breed on home soil and Mr Vaughan said it had become the most popular dairy cow.
“Years ago only two per cent of the dairy cow population in Australia was made up of Holstein cows, then known as Friesians,” he said.
“Today it’s more like 75 per cent of the cows that are milked.”
Cattle shine despite drought conditions
Parts of the south east of South Australia have seen severe rain deficiencies for three years straight, making producers eligible for drought assistance, but New Zealand judge David Stalker could see no signs of the poor season in the animals he assessed.
“I guess the guys that come to a show are usually really good feeders and they will make sure that the show cows are ready to go,” he said.
“The competition’s so strong now you have to be on the money or you just end up down the end of the line.”
Some parts of the dairy industry question the commercial value of show ribbons, but Mr Stalker stressed his judging was focussed on traits that increase profitability.
“I try and keep it as practical as possible and try and talk about things that the farmers can see and want to improve,” he said.
“At the end of the day, a show cow is just a cow that’s made correctly.
“We’re always trying to compare her to the true-type model cow.”
‘Warrabell Blade Lucky’, from Brett Fiebig’s Mount Gambier stud, was named champion cow and, according to Mr Stalker, would have given this year’s Sydney Easter Royal Show winners a run for their money.
Mr Fiebig has been entering his cattle in the fair since the early 1990s and said the win made years of honing his herd worthwhile.
“Champion cow – it’s something that you aim for, for a long time,” he said.
“It takes a long time to breed a mature aged cow that’s had four calves and is still holding together well.
“This will make getting out of bed in the freezing cold a bit easier,” he laughs.
Source: ABC Rural