Instyle Solomon Dahlia, owned by the Thomas family from Cooriemungle in south-west Victoria, has joined the elite after being crowned 2024 Supreme Grand Champion Cow at International Dairy Week.
Owner Brenton Thomas said he was still processing the win and he can’t actually put what it means into words, other than to say Dahlia is a no-hassle, great cow and he is very proud of the win.
Holstein judge Barclay Phoenix was obviously impressed by the six-year-old.
“She is balanced, big enough and her mammary system is just outstanding,” Mr Phoenix said.
“If you took the intermediate champion and senior champion cow here today on a plane ride around the world they would be competitive anywhere, it was a tremendous show.
“The quality stayed right through and is a testament to the breeders.”
For Brad and Jess Gavenlock, from Cherrylock in Tallygaroopna, this year’s IDW was their best ever, after taking out Reserve Champion Cow with Jersey Jamber Colton Veronica (co-owned with Robbie Wilson from Jamberoo, NSW) and Intermediate Interbreed Champion with Holstien Eclipse Perennial C Princess (co-owned with M. Polson). (See page 11 for more about the star Jersey.)
“The intermediate Holstein win was probably the most exciting because I have never won champion Holstein before, I am just a Jersey boy mucking around with a few black and whites,” Mr Gavenlock said.
In the five-year-old Jersey class, Cherrylock had four animals stand in the top six, while three Holstein cows place first, second and third (including intermediate champion) and six red and white cows had five class wins and a second.
“We had 41 cows and to win two supreme champions is amazing,” Mrs Gavenlock said.
“We had a crew of over 20 people this year and it is all a bit unbelievable at this point, it has been such a great show.”
Mr Gavenlock said the lead up to IDW was one of the toughest he had ever experienced.
“The last three weeks have been brutal weather wise — 10 days before IDW our whole farm was flooded,” he said.
“It is much easier to work with cows in 35 degrees and dust then humidity, rains and floods.”
Junior Holstein Champion and Interbreed Junior Champion was Gorbro Hano O Princess, exhibited by Gorbro Holsteins at Cohuna.
Premier Breeder was Avonlea Holsteins and Premier Exhibitor was Gorbro Holsteins.
This year’s Bette Hall Power of Women in Dairy winner was 87-year-old Jersey breeder Winsome Anderson from Nar Nar Goon.
Mrs Anderson is a valued active member of the Central Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club and South Gippsland Club for more than 60 years and a strong supporter of youth programs and events.
Her passion for dairy is so strong she has even established a museum at her home. Her King View Jersey Stud is well known across the country.
The Lex Bunn Memorial Award was given to Lindsay Marshall after his outstanding contribution to the dairy industry over many years.
IDW organiser Stacey Leppart said this year’s event was an outstanding success.
“We are so pleased with the way everything has kicked off this year,” Ms Leppart said.
“We are back to pre-COVID levels and this year was really strong across all classes.”
The Cows Create Careers initiative was well supported, along with all the youth classes.
“We are building a great foundation for the future and IDW is only going to get bigger and better,” Ms Leppart said.