Jersey is cream of the crop

Brad Gavenlock holds the 2024 Grand Champion Jersey, Jamber Colton Veronica, while his family (left) celebrate with judge Nathan Thomas and co-owners the Wilson family from NSW.

Cherrylock Cattle Co in Tallygaroopna celebrated winning Grand Champion Jersey at International Dairy Week with Jamber Colton Veronica.

But the celebrations didn’t end there — she went on to be crowned Interbreed Reserve Champion Cow. And she also had the best Jersey udder.

The cow, jointly owned with R. and A. Wilson of Jamberoo, NSW, had been in preparation at Tallygaroopna since early December.

Cherrylock manager Brad Gavenlock said he and wife Jessica ran their own cattle but their core business was managing for other owners.

Judge Nathan Thomas said the field of Jerseys were “exceptional” with “tremendous” dairy strength.

“Nothing today was short of that and I commend them all for bringing them out and bringing their calves,” Nathan said.

“(The winner) is the epitome of dairy strength, with a true amount of breed character here. She’s a beautifully balanced dairy cow, with a high and wide udder and good teat placement.

“It’s the kind of cow that if she was in North America, I’d be trying to buy her.”

The Reserve Champion owned by Ben Pedretti, also from Tallygaroopna, Cherrylock Dreaming Of Olives, drew high praise from Nathan.

“The reserve will have her day.”

Brad said the importance of showing cows was critical for any dairy business.

“I think this side of it is probably more relevant to the industry than people would understand,” he said.

“A lot of my crew are younger ones and they are on farms and this is their release, but at least they’re still involved in the industry.

“It keeps them in the industry and I would not be in this industry if I had not started to show as a kid.”

Brad Gavenlock leads Jamber Colton Veronica from the ring after a long day of the cow rising through the wins from its class to Grand Champion Jersey.
Jamber Cotton Veronica also won Champion Best Udder for a Jersey.