Jersey breeders from across Australia will learn how one local farming family has helped their cows adapt to more humid conditions.
The three-day Jersey Australia AGM and annual conference will include a farm and herd visit to Chad and Carita Parker’s Glen Echo Jerseys at Kenilworth where they milk more than 1000 cows.
The business has undergone phenomenal growth over the past two decades, increasing from 150 cows.
The Parker family installed two freestall barns in 2017 and 2024 and invested in silage storage to accommodate the herd’s growth and to help the cows cope better with the tropical conditions.
“It’s more comfortable for the cows in the shed rather than grazing because of the weather conditions up here are not good for grazings,” Chad said.
The herd is 50 per cent Glen Echo Jerseys, 30 per cent Jersey-Holstein cross and 20 per cent Holsteins.
The main farm has about 200 hectares that is grazed for dry stock and heifers and double that size for crops.
Glen Echo Jerseys will be the main farm visit of the AGM.
Along with the AGM, Jersey Australia will host a breakfast information session and present a new life membership and master breeder award along with other awards at the annual dinner.
Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said up to 40 farmers were expected to attend the event.
“It will be an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of a new life member and master breeder and the ongoing success and growth of the Jersey breed in Australia,” Mr Barrett said.