A determined young dairy farmer was named the 2014 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl, giving Bega its first State winner in the long-running and popular competition.
Known affectionately by her fellow State finalists as “the crazy cowgirl”, Brodie Chester, 21, operates a 250-head dairy herd on leased land at Bega with her partner, Kevin Game.
Brodie’s constant chatter about dairy cattle among the finalists – combined with her mobile phone’s “mooing” ring tone – helped earn her nickname.
However, her single-minded passion for the sector she plans a long career in secured the top award.
Brodie and Kevin had been living and working at Cootamundra before starting their Bega dairy venture in 2011 starting with five cows and a single portable cow milker.
At the time Brodie was working in the livestock department of Landmark in Wagga Wagga, and Kevin was undertaking farm contracting jobs.
Both had long held an interest in cattle – Brodie having worked with several cattle studs at Cootamundra, while Kevin was originally from Bega – so when the opportunity arose to start a dairying enterprise on the coast in late 2012 they jumped at the chance.
“There’s a lot of hard work being a dairy farmer but the effort you get back is so rewarding, and it’s a great way to build your assets quickly,” she said.
Initially Brodie and Kevin share farmed the property on which they now operate their dairy, taking on the lease in April 2013.
They have gradually built up their herd, which consists of both Holstein and crossbred cattle, and introduced many North American Holstein bloodlines to create their Blackjack stud.
Today half their herd are registered Holsteins.
Brodie has always been interested in Holsteins, attracted by their “great capacity and production ability”.
Since moving to Bega, they are now milking in a 15-a-side, double-up herringbone dairy, producing about 28 litres per cow per day, delivering their milk to Bega Cheese.
Brodie hopes to see the milking herd numbers boosted to 280 in the near future and is keen to introduce new genetics into the Australian herd.
There are also plans for an on-property sale in the future.
In between dairy duties Brodie also studies agricultural business management at Charles Sturt University, Orange, via distance education and was an organiser of the 2013 Southern All-Breeds Youth Heifer Show at Harden.
She also represented Bega as a farmer delegate at last November’s Dairy Youth Forum at in Melbourne.
Jacinta Day (now Griffin) was the last Bega Showgirl to make the Sydney Royal final, in 2011, but did not place.
Ever hopeful, a large contingent from the Far South Coast were in the amphitheatre to cheer on Brodie, led by Bega Show president Norm Pearce and Bega’s showgirl co-ordinator Marie Smith, as well as large group youthful members.
As a result the amphitheatre erupted into loud cheers from both sides as Brodie’s name was announced as the winner.
Norm said Brodie’s win would help boost the South Coast dairy centre’s profile.
“Brodie may only be a new Bega resident but she fits the Bega mould,” he said.
“She loves animals and has a keen eye and natural ability with stock.”
Brodie grew up on a small mixed grazing and beef property, “Chesterfield”, at Cootamundra, operated by her parents, Jo and Michael.
Jo, a former Cootamundra Showgirl in the 1980s, had always hoped Brodie might follow suit, but had thought she was not interested in the competition.
“We’ve been very excited ever since she told us she had entered the Bega competition,” Jo said.
Dad Michael, a truck driver who helps deliver The Land, described his daughter as hard working, very diligent and “one to always finish a job and do it properly”.
“We’ve always been proud of Brodie and this will be a step to a lot more.”
As The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl, Brodie receives $10,000 in prize money courtesy of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) and The Land.
Source: The Land