On The Land
7 February, 2024
Tablelands dairy cow tops the state
A BARRON Bella Holstein dairy cow bred by Frank and Dawn Cuda and Phillip and Mark Cuda of Malanda has won overall State Champion cow in the Queensland finals of the Semex Holstein On Farm Challenge.
The competition attracted thousands of interested followers from across Australia and overseas.
Holstein Association North Queensland (NQ) sub-branch president Colin Daley said the On Farm Challenge attracted 98 entries from 16 exhibitors across the Tablelands.
“The top two animals in each age group then went onto the state finals which resulted in two class winners from our area and the eventual overall state champion which was owned by the Cuda family,” Colin said.
At the sub-branch level, Barron Bella Crushabull Daisy won the four-year-old Champion Cow as well as the Best Udder award before going on to win overall State Champion cow.
A large number of Atherton Tableland Holstein breeders took the opportunity to showcase their elite genetics in the recent Holstein On Farm Challenge with the winners and placegetters including Frank and Dawn Cuda and Phillip and Mark Cuda, CJ & SJ Daley, Cheelonga Holdings, Bevan Family Farming, Tonia Daley, Terese Daley, Paul & Mary Newland and Nathan Daley.
Semex Australia event organiser Karen Polson said Queensland could often be the forgotten state when it comes to promoting high end dairy cattle and believes the on-farm format provides an ideal opportunity to showcase Queensland genetics.
“It’s an awfully long way from northern Queensland if farmers want their cow to compete at the big shows like Dairy Week,” Karen said.
“Some of these cows could handle the competition and the On Farm Challenge is a great way to capture those that have the potential to take it to the next level.”
Karen said the competition attracted a number of first-time and return exhibitors and has “reinvigorated local dairy farmers back into the world of black and white”.
Travelling more than 2,000km to inspect 223 entries across 34 farms, Karen was reliant on her network of volunteers from multiple regions who helped to collate the entries and videos.
“We got everyone connected via group chat,” she said.
“It was a great way of connecting like-minded people that were so willing to help each other and share information and to go the extra mile to ensure every cow was showcased.
“The power of social media to give this competition greater exposure and to connect people from all over is incredible. Perhaps next year we will see which region gets the most views.”
On Farm Challenge (OFC) judge, Daniel Holmes of Arabella Holsteins on the Darling Downs, said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience of travelling around the state.
He acknowledged the high standard of the exhibits, with his winners representing both ends of the competition.
The winning three-year-old State Champion was Ourway Dropkick Jackie who belonged to the Master Breeder herd of Colin and Shelley Daley at Millaa Millaa .
Mr Holmes returned to the top end of Queensland for his overall State Champion, selecting the four-year-old Barron Bella Crushabull Daisy, bred by the Cuda family from Malanda.
Mr Holmes praised his champion for her superior texture and ideal mammary system.
“I went for the white cow at the top of the class,” he said. “It’s her overall balance, cleanness of bone and style that gets her to the top quite easily.”
Barron Bella Crushabull Daisy descends from the world famous “Apple” bloodline from a branch imported 15 years ago.
Barron Bella Holsteins representative Mark Cuda said she was a “trouble free” cow which combined sound conformation with high levels of production and was an excellent example of what he hoped to achieve from their breeding program.
“It made us proud to get recognition for her as we were told that she was a great animal from a very early age,” Mark said.
“Even as a calf she has always been a ‘head-turner’. We were thrilled to see her recognised in such a prestigious competition.
“We haven’t entered for a few years, but Karen really pushed for us to get back into it. She deserves 100% of the credit.”
RESULTS: 2023 Holstein Association North Queensland (NQ) sub-branch On Farm Challenge
2 YEAR OLD: (born between 01-01-21 to 31-12-21)
1st Barron Bella Lambala Fairy 1010 – Cuda Family
2nd Lakeside 1070 – Cheelonga Holdings
3rd Lakeside 1034 – Cheelonga Holdings
4th Ourway Frame Buttercup – CJ & SJ Daley
5th Bevandale Hancock Mollyjean – Bevan Family Farming
3 YEAR OLD: (born between 01-01-20 to 31-12-20)
1st Ourway Dropkick Jackie – CJ & SJ Daley
2nd Ourway Luster Figni – CJ & SJ Daley
3rd Barron Bella Hutton Fern 2256 – Cuda Family
4th Bevandale Wiggins Nancy – Bevan Family Farming
5th Millaa View Frosty June – Tonia Daley
4 YEAR OLD: (born between 01-01-19 to 31-12-19)
1st Barron Bella Crushabull Daisy 9292 – Cuda Family
2nd Bevandale Artist Jodie – Bevan Family Farming
3rd Ourway Roble Posch – CJ & SJ Daley
4th Barron Bella Tattoo Evie 9221 – Cuda Family
5th Lakeside 9044 – Cheelonga Holdings
5 YEARS: (born between 01-01-2018 to 31-12-2018)
1st Lakeside 8062 – Cheelonga Holdings
2nd Bevandale Octone Prima – Bevan Family Farming
3rd Millaa View Bursting Chance 5 ¬– Terese Daley
4th Ourway Contender Phyllis 349 – CJ & SJ Daley
5th Foothills Lauthority Splenda – Paul & Mary Newland
MATURE: (born on/before 31/12/2017)
1st Ourway Gillespy Bronwyn – CJ & SJ Daley
2nd Barron Bella Baird Maid 6063 – Cuda Family
3rd Bevandale Loaded Shower – Bevan Family Farming
4th Ourway Destry Jackie 320 – Nathan Daley
5th Ourway Excalibur Annette – CJ & SJ Daley
BEST UDDER: Barron Bella Crushabull Daisy 9292 – Cuda Family
CHAMPION COW: Barron Bella Crushabull Daisy 9292 – Cuda Family
RESERVE CHAMPION COW: Ourway Dropkick Jackie – CJ & SJ Daley
