On The Land
25 November, 2023
Jerry’s cows are ‘cream of the crop’
IN the dairying world winning an “On Farm Challenge” is a significant achievement. Winning two, involving different breeds is deemed to be a remarkable feat.
This year, this feat was made even more remarkable with the winner of both the Atherton Tablelands Jersey and Red Cow On Farm Challenges being 22-year-old stud dairy cattle breeder Jerry English.
An On Farm Challenge is similar to a show but no pre-show preparation of the animals is necessary.
The preparation of animals for a show can be a very arduous and time consuming process involving such things as teaching the animals how to lead, clipping, washing, grooming, special feeding and, as well, the animals must be transported to the showgrounds and back to their farm of origin.
In an On Farm Challenge, the cows are judged on farm in their “working clothes”.
The competition is solely for females.
The youngest class is the Heifer Dry under 2 1/2 years class with “in milk” classes extending upwards throughout the different ages to also include mature cows.
This year, two On Farm Challenges were held on the Atherton Tablelands for dairy cattle, one for the Jersey breed and a second one for “Red Cows”.
In the jersey challenge, animals entered had to be eligible for registration. For the red cow challenge, both purebred stud dairy females as well as commercial dairy females were able to be entered.
In the red cow challenge, four different red breeds were judged on farm which included Illawarras, Aussie Reds, Red and White Holsteins and Guernseys.
There was strong support shown for this year’s competitions with around 23 exhibitors entering a total of 123 dairy females from all across the Tablelands.
A separate Holstein On Farm Challenge was held on the Tablelands earlier in the year, with 98 animals entered.
All Breeds Committee representative Greg English said the idea for an On Farm Challenge eventuated due to people wanting to showcase their dairy cattle but not having the time, resources or money to take them to a show.
“This year’s Red Cow Challenge was possibly a first in Queensland,” Greg said.
“With the Tablelands On Farm Challenges, one judge travels to all farms. The winner of the Atherton Tablelands Jersey On Farm Challenge now goes on to compete in ‘The Great Northern Challenge’.
“This involves animals competing against others across the whole of Queensland and part of northern New South Wales.”
This year’s judge was Colin Daley from Millaa Millaa who judged both the Jersey and the Red Cow sections.
Scooping the pool and winning both the Jersey and the Red Cow On Farm Challenges for this year with Long Lanes VH Donaria and Eachamvale Erin 4 respectively , Jerry English said he felt extremely happy with the result.
Long Lanes VH Donaria also won Champion Jersey Cow at last year's Malanda Show.
“Across the two challenges there were a lot of good cows and a lot of good competition,” Jerry said.
“I was very appreciative of the effort that Mum and Dad and the rest of the family also put in for the animals involved.”
Jerry said he would encourage anyone interested in entering next year’s Jersey and Red Cow On Farm Challenges to do so as there was not the same amount of effort involved with this competition as there was in taking dairy females to a show.
“You don’t have to take any extra time out of your day to get cows ready for an On Farm Challenge,” he said.
“If you think that you have a cow that is good, chances are that other people will think so as well and there’s every chance that she’ll do alright.
“You may be surprised at how well you may go as a first-time exhibitor.”
JERSEY ON FARM CHALLENGE RESULTS
CHAMPION COW: Long Lanes VH Donaria - Jerry English
RESERVE CHAMPION COW: Bevandale Matt Jane 3 - H & A Bevan
BEST UDDER: Long Lanes Bontino Brownlady - RJ & CJ Hartin & GK & BJ English
RED COW ON FARM CHALLENGE RESULTS
CHAMPION COW: Eachamvale Erin 4 - Jerry English
RESERVE CHAMPION COW: Eachamvale Joan 10 - English Family
BEST UDDER: Eachamvale Joan 10 - English Family
The All Breeds Committee would like to extend a very special thank you to everyone who participated in this competition, with appreciation to all competitors who were highly organised for the event. The committee would also like to thank judge Colin Daley and power point creator Catherine English. A special thanks is also extended to Paul and Mary Newland for hosting the presentation and dinner.
