2023 HOLSTEIN AUSTRALIA 

COW OF THE YEAR

WINNER

CLYDEVALE MRSAM PISA EX91-3E

17* 1xEP 2xM 2xP LIFE2

Bred and Owned by: Clydevale Holsteins 

Progeny: 346 - Classified 128 - Excellent 3 - VG 68 - GP 53

Production: 5 Lactations - 81,904 litres 2,863KGP 3.5%P 3,257KG F 3.98%F

Former On-Farm Challenge Winner (2-Year-Old), Reserve Champion Cow - Kerang Feature Show. 2014/15 Honourable Mention All Australian 5-Year-Old. 2nd Mature Cow at the Victorian Winter Fair. 3rd Mature Cow at Victorian Winter Fair 2018. 

Owner Comment:

Pisa is a 4-time Holstein Australia Cow of the Year Finalist (2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022).

Pisa has been a herd favourite for many years. She has had show, on-Farm Challenge, Production and breeding success for many generations and is now retired. The Penny family is our largest and Pisa is the most significant cow from the P family.

Pisa’s progeny have been sold throughout Victoria and have been successful show cows with high production for their new owners. Pisa has always been a hardworking, aggressive feeder with a large frame and great udder.

Pisa represents the kind of cow we are trying to breed and has been a pleasure to work with.

Judges' Comments:

This award recognises Pisa's lifetime production performance, her idyllic conformation and her overall contribution to the Holstein breed. 

The 15-year-old, bred by two-time Master Breeders, The Dee family, was selected from a stellar line-up of nominees, representing all aspects of Holstein breeding. 

This year's panel featured two guest judges - South Australia's Angela Tweddle of Benlargo Holsteins and St Genetics representative Simon Tognola. The pair agreed that Pisa was the cows that ticked all the boxes.

Judges panel member Simon said it was a privilege to judge such a prestigious competition. 

"We weren't just looking for a 'pretty cow'. We were selecting on things that are commercially relevant - a cow with longevity, a cow with production and a cow that will generate the most income for the farmer." 

He described Pisa as a very profitable cow that demonstrated a balanced performance across all aspects of breeding. 

"Pisa is the whole package. She has been a successful show cow and a highly classified cow...But most importantly, she's not just a 'once off'. She is a cow that has given a lot back to the industry and is passing her traits to the next generation."

Like Simon, Angela appreciated Pisa for her true-type conformation, but said it was her performance as a brood cow, her longevity and her lifetime production total that gave her the advantage over the rest competition. 

"Pisa had the longevity and production on her side, and she has a lot of daughters that have classified well and are producing really well. she said. 

FINALISTS

ECLIPSE DAMION G PRINCESS EX90-2E

10* 1xM 1xP 1xF

Bred and Owned by: Richard Hull - Eclipse Genetics

Progeny: 1,434 - Classified - 300 - Excellent 10 - 137 VG - 150 GP -

Production: 3 Lactations: 43,468 litres, 1,487kgP, 3.42%P 1,563kgF, 3.6%F

Owner Comment:

My original goal for Eclipse Damion G Princess was to develop her into a brood cow that has a true impact on the breed and she has most definitely done that.

She continues to have an impact generations down the line with both female and male descendants having a significant impact in Australia and now moving internationally.

Princess is a no fuss cow that comes in the dairy early on in milking. She will stop for a head scratch from anyone willing and without notice leave and head off for the paddock

Damion G Princess is the cow that “whatever you want her to do, she will get it done.”

HULLABALOO BOLTON SUNDAE 7282-ET EX95-3E

4* 1xM 1xP

Bred by: Murray Varcoe

Owned by: Dee Family - Clydevale Holsteins

Progeny: 160 - Classifed - 96 - 2 Excellent - 33 VG - 33 GP

Production: 5 Lactations: 86,792 litres - 2,666kgP, 3.07%P, 3,232kgF, 3.72%F

Owner Comment:

Sundae is a once in a lifetime cow. She has high type, production and likeability. A show winner and All Australian Cow and our highest classified cow ever, Sundae is breeding very well.

 Sundae has dairy strength, will to milk, a fantastic mammary system and a great temperament. She is as close to the perfect cow we have had and her progeny are extremely exciting for us.

Sundae is the best cow ever at Clydevale and we hope to keep working with her for many years.

MURRIBROOK GOLDWYN VERBENA EX92-2E 

11* 1xEP 1xF

Bred by: Murray Sowter

Owned by: Duncan and Nathan Smith - Hightop Holsteins

Progeny: 168 - Classified - 38 - 2 Excellent - 22 VG - 1 G

Production: 5 Lactations - 100,182 litres - 3,421kgP, 3.41%P 4,455kgF, 4.45%F

Owner Comment:

Verbena is a cow with the kindest nature.

She is constantly breeding quality animals. We own several of Verbena’s daughters and granddaughters and they all have the same great nature she does.

They are no fuss, high producing animals with low cell counts.

Purchasing Verbena was one of the best decisions we ever made and we are so proud and passionate about this magnificent cow.