Page 85 - Demo

S H O R T H O R N
Dairy
After a relaxing morning on Thursday
walking around the Adelaide Oval we
collected our hire car and headed off to
Swanport to stay with Marie. Neville and
the cattle not being able to leave the
show until Friday. I think he is part of the
fittings as he hasn’t missed a show since
1948!
Marie had arranged herd visits over the
next few days, so Friday morning saw us
visit Blackwood Park. A well run unit
breeding both Illawarras and Holsteins
on a three times a day system. Here we
saw powerful milky cows which have
bred numerous bulls who have gone on
to make a huge impact on the breed
worldwide.
Leaving Blackwood Park, we drove four
and a half hours down the Dukes
Highway to the home of David and
Michelle Kuhl and family near Mount
Gambia. Arriving late in the afternoon
meant we had time to enjoy a delicious
meal of home reared roast lamb before
viewing the Braelee herd on Saturday
morning. Cold, wet and windy weather
and ground conditions typical of a back
end day in the UK meant we didn’t see
this herd of real milky cows at its best.
This was a shame as this is a herd where
strong cow families were very evident.
Just to show this trip wasn’t all about
cows we took Marie’s advice and visited
the famous blue volcanic lake and
gardens at Mount Gambier. Definitely
worth a visit if you get the chance.
Leaving a very wet Mount Gambier we
set off for Meningie via the coastal route.
Travelling through the area known as
Biscuit Flat, lambing was in full swing
and it was evident to see the huge losses
as the lambs had no shelter in this open
flat land. This area is also home to
several large Angus breeding stations
with paddocks of stock bulls being
prepared for the spring sales.
We arrived at Geoff and Rosemarie
Williams at Treeton just on dark. After
another evening of excellent hospitality
we viewed the herd which has just
moved into a new shed. Here we saw
tremendous older cows by Pingerley
alongside younger cattle by American
sires as well as a lot of Viking Genetics. In
contrast to the miserable weather we
had left behind here both grass and corn
silage making was about to start.
We then returned to Swanport via the
Coorong to find Neville had made it
home from the show. On Monday we
went to Ian Mueller’s Glenbrook herd
where we saw the show team in their
working clothes. A real quality, well
managed herd where a lot of thought has
resulted in a herd of excellent cow
families. We also heard of Ian’s future
plans which involve a massive new shed
and possibly robots. We also had time to
tour the silage ground which is managed
by Ian’s son Brett. Again, the attention to
detail resulting in top quality forage.
On Tuesday we visited the Doecke family
at Springvale. Since our last visit new
feeding passages had been installed to
feed cows better. This is another herd
where a huge amount of thought has
resulted in some excellent individual
cows. Here we saw daughters of
Springvale Theo calved in and looking
well.
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank Neville and Marie Mueller for their
kind hospitality and for organising our
herd visits, also for the invitation to judge
at such a prestigious show. Thanks also
to Ian for his support on both trips.
Finally, to Ann, Jo, Vic and everyone for
keeping things running smoothly at
home, without their support this trip
wouldn’t have been possible. If ever you
get the chance to visit our fellow
breeders in Australia it is well worth the
long flight.
Shorthorn 85
Glenbrook cows grazing Doecke Springvale In calf heifers
View from Neville and Marie’s overlooking the Murray River Typical type at Braelee