It’s all systems go for this year’s National Herd Development Victorian Winter Fair, with the much loved dairy show set for July 1 to 3 at the Bendigo Showgrounds.
Following on from a change to the program last year, the showmanship and junior judging will again be held on Tuesday, making day one all about the youth.
The dry heifer and milking classes will follow on Wednesday and Thursday.
Organiser Clare Modra said she is looking forward to this year’s show.
“I would like to thank National Herd Development who are our major sponsor again for 2025 along with Trans Ova who are sponsoring the youth show and Stockyard Industries and Easyfix who have taken on the red show,” Clare said.
The team is expecting 2025 to be just as successful as other years, despite the tough conditions currently experienced in some dairying regions.
For Emily Robins, this year will be extra special as the 23-year-old is taking on the role of associate judge.
“I actually cried when Clare asked me because I can remember saying to her after the very first Winter Fair that one day I am going to be the associate judge and here I am,” Emily said.
“I can remember when I was little winning the junior judging competition and now I get to be part of the judging.
“It’s also pretty cool considering my dad was part of the original team that got the Winter Fair up and running.”
Emily’s involvement in the Winter Fair might have begun with participation in the youth classes but she has always followed its progress and been involved one way or another.
She has also taken the opportunity to learn from the many judges who have presided over the ring.
“I can’t believe I get to work with one of the great judges in Kevin Doeberiener as well,” Emily said.
Dairying and showing have always been a huge part of Emily’s life growing up on the family farm at Cohuna.
“You either have the dairy bug or you don’t and, as tough as the industry is at times, the show ring always seems to bring everyone together,” she said.
Emily currently works at National Herd Development evaluating cows.
She participated in the Judging School in 2023 and last year judged the Rochester Show.
“The champion cow ended up being owned by people who I worked for when I was 13 so that was another full circle moment for me,” she said.
Emily will be joined in the ring by Kevin Doeberiener who operates Queens Manor Farm in West Salem, Ohio, in the United States.
Queens Manor’s mission is to purchase, raise, develop and market high type and deep pedigree animals across all breeds.
Kevin has owned and exhibited several All American and All Canadian Holsteins and Jerseys, and has garnered numerous other nominations.
Kevin’s prior judging experiences include country fairs, district shows, associate judge at the 2021 WDE Jersey Show and the 2022 Midwest National Spring Red and White and Jersey Show.
Entries for the 2025 Winter Fair are now open.
For more information, visit Victorian Winter Fair on Facebook or https://victorianwinterfair.wixsite.com/Victorian-winter-f-1