All things IDW
All things Holstein at IDW
With just a few days to go before International Dairy Week returns for the first time in two years, here’s our run down of all things Holstein at next week’s show.
You’ll probably notice a few changes compared to years gone by with the new team at IDW, led by Holstein Australia member Declan Patten and Bradly Cullen focused on broadening the appeal of the event to the wider dairy industry and commercial and corporate farmers.
One change regular IDW attendees will notice immediately is the splitting of the junior and senior Holstein shows over two days. Australia’s National Holstein Heifer Show takes place Wednesday 19th January from 1.30pm, with the National Holstein Cow Show kicking off at 8am on Thursday 20th January.
“This has been done for animal welfare reasons primarily,” says IDW’s Declan Patten. “We’re trying to avoid cows being shown in the hottest part of the day, particularly milking cows.”
On the weather front, the good news is that the forecast is for temperatures to peak in the high 20’s next week, a welcome change from the 34 degree plus of recent years.
You can access the full IDW schedule here plus a map of Tatura Park.
Holstein Australia at IDW
You’ll find us in our regular spot in the Blackmore & Leslie Indoor Arena. Make sure to come along and say hi! We’ll have cold drinks aplenty and Services Extension Officer Simon Adams will be on hand to answer any questions and help out with all your Holstein business.
Holstein Australia will also be hosting a Member BBQ at 5.30pm on Wednesday afternoon after the National Heifer Show. Free to attend, with a limit of 4 tickets per membership, make sure to reserve your place at our Member BBQ registration page.
During the event our new Master Breeders will be revealed, and we’ll be presenting Cow of the Year trophies to our 2020 and 2021 winners.
The Member BBQ takes place immediately before the STG Australia Create the Future Sale, with top line Holsteins from Murribrook, Gorbro, Clydevale, Lightning Ridge, Cypress Grove, Eastview, Robsvue, Hearts Ridge, Emu Banks and more on offer. Bid at the show or register online with Elite Livestock Auctions to be part of the action.
HA members feature on IDW judging panel
A number of familiar faces will be in the show ring performing judging duties. Murribrook Holsteins Murray Sowter will be judging the National Holstein Show with Associate Judge Cameron Yarnold, Arrallik Holsteins, with international judge Warren Feguson unable to make it to the event due to COVID travel restrictions. Missing for the same reason will be WA's Lachlan Fry, Katandra Park Holsteins & Jerseys, who was to perform Associate Judge duties for the National Jersey Show.
Brian Leslie will be in the show ring for Australia's National Brown Swiss Show, Avonlea Holsteins John Gardiner will judge the Illawarras, Pat Nicholson the Guernsey Show, Walmar Ayrshires & Holsteins Mark Patulo the Ayrshire Show, five time Sherri Martin Youth Showmanship winner Zoe Hayes the Youth Showmanship Competition and Brindabella Holsteins Jade Sieben the All Breeds National Youth Show.
Youth to the fore!
Sunday sees one of the highlights of the year for Australia’s dairy youth, the Holstein Australia Victoria Youth Challenge Trials. From 12pm ninety competitors will take part in clipping, judging and handling challenges so make sure to get to Tatura early to see the next generation compete for honours in this one.
The youth action continues on Monday with the ABS Australia / Ridley All Breeds National Youth Show at 8am and The Sherri Martin Youth Showmanship Classes at 3pm.
Power of Women in Dairying
One of IDW's most popular events Power of Women in Dairying takes place at Wilson Hall on the Tuesday evening. This year guest speaker will be political journalist, farmer and author of Rusted Off: Why Country Australia is Fed Up, Gabrielle Chan. The presentation of the Bette Hall Power of Women in Dairying Excellence Award will also take place with tickets still available.
Clydevale Holsteins tour
Tuesday is an opportunity for Holstein fans to visit Master Breeder Clydevale Holsteins and check out their state of the art facilities and latest Lely Robot Technology. Find out more here and reserve your spot.
Business and education program
Outside the show ring there is a busy schedule of events taking place this year.
Thursday morning sees the Dairy Industry Leaders breakfast take place in the Ballantyne Centre, hosted by Australian Dairy Farmers. Reserve your place by contacting Stacey Leppert at IDW.
Over a complementary two-course breakfast, a three person panel will discuss the labour shortages currently faced in agriculture and solutions for the future.
Kicking off on Monday morning and running through to Wednesday is the IDW Seminar Series with eighteen expert speakers presenting a range of seminars, panel discussions and events covering almost every aspect of dairy farming and running a dairy business. All seminars are free to attend, and no RSVP is required.
We look forward to seeing you at IDW! If you can’t attend, don’t forget you can stream all IDW shows from the Holstein Australia website (link at bottom of home page, active from Monday morning).
For all the latest IDW updates, including news on changes to the judging line up, head on over to the IDW Facebook page.
Happy New Year. Happy New IDW!