Concorde conquers EXCELLENT 93

Standing less than three metres from the classifier can be nerve racking for any breeder, especially when the cow being examined has previously scored EX91 and is being classified again on the same lactation.

That moment is one that Fleurieu and Central SA breeders, the Mason family of Jervois Holsteins at Ashville, will never forget.

Clem Mason who classifies every tour said this time he could feel something special was about to happen. “I looked at the classifier and she said ‘wow,’ and then she called another classifier over to score the cow himself,” he said.

On the 1st of February 2022, Jervois 5G Concorde 2nd scored EX93, making her the 72nd Jervois-bred female to score EX90 or above since the stud began. It was day 196 of her third lactation when she scored 96 for her udder, 95 for her dairy strength and was marked almost perfect in every udder trait.

Holstein Australia Classifier Rebecca Haebich said she could feel the anticipation as soon as Jervois 5G Concorde 2nd was yarded. Rebecca said “she immediately stood out because of her presence”.

The same day her daughter Jervois Chels Concorde 3rd scored VG85 on her second lactation, classified by Bronte Symonds.

Rebecca said it was a clear indication of 5G Concorde’s abilities. “She not only looks great but she breeds well and for her daughter to receive VG85 on a second calf means her daughter is on her way to do well too,” she said.

Jervois 5G Concorde 2nd is no stranger to accolades, having won Intermediate Champion at the 2018 Murray Bridge Feature Show, Reserve Intermediate Champion at the 2019 Adelaide Royal and more recently was crowned Champion Cow at the 2021 Murray Bridge Feature Show under judge Caitlin Hentschke. A few weeks later she conquered again, winning Mature Cow and Champion Cow of the South Australian On Farm Competition.

Clem said Jervois Holsteins have come a long way since the family first bought the farm, having started with grade cows.

He said classification services and AI have been valuable tools in their breeding program. “We’ve bred most cows up through the appendix system, including the Concordes and I’m so proud of our farm and family to have bred the cows we have,” Clem said.

When asked how he feels about breeding the EX93 cow he said the feeling is ecstatic. “The enormity of her achieving EX93 is still sinking in,” Clem said.