Chris and Mary Gleeson from Elm Banks Holsteins have spent a lifetime breeding functional, quality cows.
As Chris says, he loves a good-looking cow as much as the next person, but they also have to be functional and milk well to pay the bills 365 days a year.
And with over 140 excellent cows in their elite herd of around 500, he certainly knows what he is talking about.
“We have the highest classified herd in Australia, and at some point, we were number seven in the world, but I have lost track of that now and I have no idea where we are,” Chris said.
On November 25, breeders from across the country will have the opportunity to take home some of Elm Banks’ very best when around 120 head will go under the hammer in their second Brood Cows and Banner Sale hosted by Dairy Livestock Services.
This time the stud will go one step further, opening up the herd for viewing the day before the sale.
Chris said it would be tough to see some of the cows go, as they haven’t held back, and have put some of their very best genetics up for sale.
“It will definitely be hard because some of these cows have done everything we can ask of them — we have an excellent 91 cow who has given us four heifers, and she still has a great life ahead of her for someone else — we just have too many numbers.”
He said some of the animals going under the hammer have the potential to perform at major shows around the country and will include milkers, cows due to calve in autumn through to elite heifers from the IVF program joined to sexed semen.
One of the lots set to draw some attention will be Mirand Primrosette Ex 91E — an All Australian winner on her third calf.
While the catalogue isn’t quite finalised at the time of going to print, Chris is expecting more than 20VG heifers to be in the sale. A Jagger daughter out of the queen of the Elm Banks herd, Doorman Lulu EX95 4E, will be selling calving in November.
“These are all well-uddered cows with a great future ahead of them.”
Chris said he was excited by the catalogue and what they had on offer.
“It is time to give other breeders the opportunity to purchase and develop some of our best performing cow families, and it will be great to follow their development under someone else.”
Too many numbers have been an unintended consequence for the Elm Banks’ herd, breeding quality functional cows also creates longevity in the herd.
“Our cows are in the herd for five to six years compared to the average of 3.5 years.”
Chris said they hosted their first sale two years ago where they sold 35 head.
Some of those cows on offer have gone on to do very well including a recent Sydney Show winner and three young cows on their third calving have gone EX91.
“Our family love showing, but it does cost money to breed and show great cows, and the real money is always made at home with a functional cow 365 days a year.”
The family milk 2000 cows across three farms at Koroit.
The elite herd of 500 fully registered cows operate on their own farm.
Their are plans to develop the 1100 head commercial herd into a fully registered herd over the next five years.
“We keep a very good eye on our cows, we feed them well and they look after us,” Chris said.