ON their Kyabram dairy farm, Neil Goodfellow and his 18-year-old daughter Chloe are busy making sure their team of Holsteins and Jerseys are in the best possible condition for International Dairy Week.
So far a line-up of 11 cows and heifers have been carefully selected for the prominent event, but the final show squad may differ on the day.
“Some of them are calving close to the date, so we will have to wait and see,” Mr Goodfellow said.
The five-day event at Tatura is something the Goodfellows take seriously.
The family have been showing dairy cows since 1927, when Gowerville Holsteins was established by Neil’s grandfather Perce at Preston.
Today, the desire to show has not faded and is stronger than ever. “It’s the best way of comparing cows,” he said. “If you are in it, the biggest critic of your cows is yourself.
“You need to pull her apart and be honest.”
Although some believe the “showing” side of the dairy industry has become outdated or old-fashioned, Mr Goodfellow says it still plays an important role.
“Showing generates demand for quality cows,” he said.
Mr Goodfellow said: “Some animals can sell for a phenomenal amount of money; it’s amazing.”
The feedback from shows has also helped to advance their Gowerville stud herd too.
“Every year we get better,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of great two-year-olds coming through this year.”
The family retains all good heifers to stay competitive.
Although cows are selected for milk and temperament, Mr Goodfellow says production and type go “hand in hand”.
When it comes to sire selection, he says it is difficult to choose AI bulls because there are so many available.
“If I see something on pedigree that I like, I will use an unproven bull,” he said.
“The main thing is getting a consistent line of calves.
“Let’s face it. You want milk, but something that behaves in the shed too.”
Mr Goodfellow and his daughter admit they are more than happy with the temperament and type of their cows.
Out in the paddock, the milking herd is quiet and happily grazing on hay.
After moving to the 50 hectare farm recently, the family have had to dedicate an enormous amount of time on to improving pastures.
“We’ve put a lot of annual ryegrass and summer crops in,” he said.
“I used to grow sorghum, but have been putting millet in now, because it’s cheaper and there is plenty of water to grow it.”
The “dairy gene” has also been passed onto Chloe, who envisages a future in the industry.
The teenager has just completed year 12, but is hoping to study locally and gain a second trade in accounting. “I want something to fall back onto when times get tough, but I love agriculture,” she said.
Already, Chloe has shown she has what it takes to go far in the dairy industry, winning the Victorian Holstein Youth Aggregate Award twice, as well the national competition once for showing a calf under 12 months-of-age.
Mr Goodfellow, also has another trade (he is a qualified carpenter), but prefers the challenge of breeding good cows and showing.
“I love the history and link with the industry that comes from showing,” he said.
“And that has kept going through the generations.”
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