INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK
The opportunity to judge the National Holstein Show in Australia at International Dairy Week was one Ken Proctor took with open arms. While down under he also had the chance to see a number of farms in both Australia and New Zealand
K
en and wife Rebecca descended on the Southern Hemisphere to Shepperton where International Dairy
Week is the buzz of the town with the local community interested in the show which attracts 900 cattle from six breeds for the four day event.
“It was a great honour to be invited to judge the National Holstein Show. The show is a huge attraction with banners and model cows everywhere around the town,” explains Ken. “During the four days there were many seminars and I gave virtual farm tours alongside Hank Van Excel from the USA who was judging the Jersey Show. Speaking alongside a farmer who has 2500 cows averaging 13,000kgs can make you feel fairly inferior.”
Judging day for the Holsteins on the final day of the show was to test Ken in more ways than one with it being the hottest day of the week at 38oC.
“There was a fantastic array of cattle forward at the show and it wasn’t long before I had to dispense with my suit jacket.
“I found my junior champion in the youngest heifer, Bluechip Goldchip Bonnie, a heifer that oozed quality. Then in reserve, unbeknown to me, was the highest priced heifer from the sale the evening before, Avonlea YF Windbrook Cinnamon, which changed hands for Aus$27,000.”
Ken was impressed by the quality of two and three year olds with two classes from each of these age groups.
“I tapped out the second calved Paringa Windstorm Ezra as intermediate champion, followed by Avonlea Windbrook Lulu, a two year old that really caught my eye with a welded on udder. “The show of senior cows was amazing and I was pleased to find they were the type of cow I was looking for which made my judging even more enjoyable.
“As the senior championship started to unfold the atmosphere and 58 THE JOURNAL APRIL 2015
TOP Ken with the top three cows which all came from the same breeder and cow family.
ABOVE Rebecca Proctor with one of many model cows advertising the show.
excitement round the ring started to build and continued as I tapped out my champion, reserve and honourable mention all from the same breeder.
“Not only had I unknowingly picked three cows from the same exhibitor, but also from the same cow family which was a remarkable achievement for the herd.”
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