Janelle and Brad Somerville and children Ethan, Connor, Leah and Abbie hosted visitors as part of the North West Sub-branch farm walks. Photos: Sophie Baldwin
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Sophie Baldwin
The Holstein breed was front and centre last week, with the North West Sub-branch hosting a successful Stars of the Future Sale and a series of on-farm walks followed by Holstein Australia’s annual awards dinner at the Moama Bowling Club.
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The sale averaged $5170 across 33 lots, with Elmar Divinci Jessica 5344 topping the sale at $11,000.
Sub-branch president Ross Gordon said it was a great couple of days, culminating in a successful awards night with four local members achieving master breeder status – Craig Lister from Calister Holsteins, Rob Gundry from Gunwilla Park, Rick and Tina Wishart from Rowlands Park and Jade, Georgia and Lincoln Seiben from Brindabella Holsteins.
Richard Anderson (left) and Jeff Harrower both received distinguished service awards from Holstein Australia.
“We had a really successful night with around 110 attendees.
Holstein Australia senior classifier Sean Millar, interim CEO John Crowther and member services’ Amanda Moyses enjoyed the farm walks.
“It was great to see so many people and it is really encouraging to see so many young faces in the room.
“The online sale was well supported and prices were fair for both buyer and sellers,” Ross said.
He said the farm walks went off really well with Brad Somerville and Chad Gordon also managing to sell a couple of cows straight from the paddock.
HA president Gino Pacitti said the sub-branch did an outstanding job of showcasing their cows and the region, and they put on a great couple of days.
Gino said he was also impressed by the support shown for the awards night.
Holstein Australia master breeders for 2025 (Back, L-R) Tina and Rick Wishart Rowlands Park, Cherie and John Gardiner, Avonlea, Fred DeCicco, Benevento Park, Suz and Rob Gundry, Gunwilla Park, Craig Lister, Calister Holsteins, and Jade Sieben, Brindabella Holsteins; (Front) Daniel DeCicco, Benevento, and Lincoln and Georgia Sieben, Brindabella.
“The master breeder awards were due recognition for the breeders and for the first time ever we had a three-time master breeder in John and Cherie Gardiner from Avonlea.”
Gino said there were 190 entries in the photography competition and the quality of animals was supreme.
“I would like to thank the judges and everyone who continues to support the competition.”
Two dairy legends in Richard Anderson from Rochester and Jeff Harrower from Cohuna received a distinguished services award, while Duncan and Helen and Nathan Smith from Hightop Holsteins in Zeerust were awarded cow of the year with Murribrook Goldwyn Verbena.
Duncan simply said Verbena is just awesome.
“I just cant put it any better than that. She is the perfect cow for us.
Holstein Australia 2025 awards night.
“She is placid, a gentle giant and a pleasure to work with,” he said.
The family bought her in 2021.
“We headed off to the sale at Murraybrook with the trailer and Verbena was coming home with us no matter what we had to pay for her,” Duncan said.
Gino said the four finalists in the cow of the year competition were all worthy winners and were a typical example of an animal well-bred for longevity and production.
