Young northern Victorian cattle handler Erika Quinn took out the coveted International Dairy Week grand champion heifer this week with an outstanding Holstein female.
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Erika, of Cohuna, emerged from 230 entries in the ABS Australia/Ridley All Breeds National Youth Show to win the title at the Tatura showgrounds on Monday, January 19.
Judge, Matt Templeton, Coomboona Holsteins, Toolamba, Vic, described the Lirr Drew Dempsey daughter, Beclah Park Dempsey Nola, as exhibiting dairy strength, frame and carrying a beautiful udder.
The July-drop 2012 heifer was from the dam High Green Bolton Noni and owned by Gorbro Holsteins, Cohuna.
Mr Templeton awarded the heifer senior champion in-milk before giving her the nod as grand champion.
Georgia Sieben, 12, of Torumbarry, Vic, showed the
Toc-Farm Goldsun sired in-milk Holstein heifer Brindabella Gold Sun B Jess to senior champion
in-milk heifer (junior leader and reserve grand champion heifer on behalf of owners, S & J Sieben, Torumbarry.
Brock Neal, Cooriemungle, showed a Jersey heifer, Bushlea
Gov Favourite 2, on behalf of Bushlea Farms, Koonawarra, to reserve senior champion in-milk heifer (senior leader) and the Honorable Mention grand champion heifer.
Zack Redpath led Bushlea Farm’s Jersey heifer Bushlea Tbone Ferleaf 2 to honourable mention senior champion in-milk (senior leader).
Brady Hore, Leitchville, showed Miami Tequila Cowslip 4660-ET on behalf of the Philmar Dairy Company, Tocumwal, to reserve senior champion in-milk heifer (junior leader).
Ellie Hourigan, Milawa, Victoria, showed Darrynvale Marks Bonnie 15 from her family’s Darrynvale Jersey stud to an honourable mention senior champion in-milk heifer.
Zoe Hayes, Girgarre, Victoria, was named as the most successful youth handler of the show.
She showed Llandovery Blush’s Jinny to junior champion heifer (senior leader) while the reserve went to Shanae Fisher, Shepparton, with Red Field Doorman Bambi 3186-ET.
Mitchell Atkins, won junior champion heifer (junior leader) with Avonlea Windbrook Cinnamon and Jett Easterbrook, Tatura, was in reserve with Whyndell H G Bonny.
Erika Quinn has a strong record at IDW, winning the junior champion heifer (senior leader) last year with Gorbro Stanleycup Kassie-ET, but this year was her first on the halter of a grand champion.
The Year 12 student at Cohuna Secondary College worked for four weeks preparing the heifer at Gorbro Holsteins for this year’s event.
Erika’s family farm is expanding from 500 to 600 cows with the installation of a new dairy, and she plans to forge a career in the industry.
“I didn’t know what to expect today and was overwhelmed to win,’’ she said.
ABS Australia and New Zealand general manager James Smallwood said the company had been committed to supporting the youth show since the late 1990s.
“It has a lot of synergies with genetics around investing in the future and we are trying to make sure our involvement encourages young people with a passion for animal performance and genetic improvement into the industry,’’ Mr Smallwood said.
“For us at ABS, the youth show is a nice fit for what we do, and it’s one way we can give back to the industry which supports us.’’
As one of the biggest cattle shows in the southern hemisphere, International Dairy Week drew 1119 entries from more than 180 Australian breeders this year.
A panel of national and international judges assessed cattle across six national breed shows, while visitors enjoyed a full program of international guest speakers, on-property tours, trade displays and three breed sales.
All cattle judging was live streamed through the internet.
