This year’s event was the first time Jersey numbers emulated Holstein entries in the ring, and it seemed buyers at the sale wanted to know just what all the fuss was about, amassing 150 registrations.

A total of 28 lots topped at $13,000, and averaged $5037.50, which Dairy Livestock Services agent Scott Lord said was “phenomenal”.

South-west buyer David Weel, Port Campbell, managed to secure the final bid on Lot 20 – 11-month-old Adadale Action Passion – at $13,000, which was sold by Adadale Jerseys, Queensland.

The 22-year-old works on a 500-cow farm and will add the heifer to his Blue Print stud, which currently boasts 30 head.

“I saw the heifer’s mother (Brunchilli BRC Passion EX90) at the Brisbane Show and I really liked her,” he said.

Once the calf reaches 15 months, Mr Weel plans to flush and join her, continuing the cow family.

The young farmer is keen to remain in the dairy industry and build up numbers.

“I’m looking to share-farm in the next couple of years,” he said.

“I’ll stay for the Holstein sales this week and see if I can pick up some more cows.”

Adadale Jerseys also fared well in the sale with their entry Adadale Governor B Rowena 4, which fetched $8600.

The second top price was paid by Gippsland breeders Paul and Lisa Mumsford, Gelbeado Park, Won Wron, who shelled out $10,000 for Cairnbrae Valerian Estelle from A&J Carson, Irrewillipe.

The six-month-old heifer was sired by Kaarmona Valerian, while the dam was Cairnbrae Jace Estelle 5 EX91.

“She’s a very high index animal and comes from a great cow family,” he said.

The Mumsfords hope to join the heifer and flush her when the time is right.

“I think I bought her quite cheap actually,” he said. “For the return that I can get from this animal, that’s a good price.”

They hope to produce some quality heifers, as well as AI bulls.

Milking 400 cows on a dryland dairy farm, the couple have been showing cows for three years.

“Our worker Aaron Thomas encouraged us to get into it and its been great, plus our kids really enjoy it,” he said.

Mr Mumsford said he prefers Jerseys because they were better to handle and have “character”.

Opening the sale was Luke and Melanie Wallace, Wallacedale, Poowong North, who also recorded a strong result with their four-year-old cow Wallacedale Acts D Melanie EX92, which made $6500. “We thought she would make about that money, so we’re pretty happy,” he said.