The International Red Dairy Breed Federation is holding a global event in Australia from Friday 22nd March to Friday 29th March 2019. There is also an optional tour to Gippsland from the 29th March to 31st March.
The eight day tour commences in Adelaide, travelling to Mount Gambier for the main event, then along the Great Ocean Road before concluding in Melbourne.
Attached is the registration brochure but for more information and to register your attendance please contact the Event Coordinator, Kylie Boston, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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IRDBF Rego Brochure Sept 18 web(1.33 MB)
2013 will be a big year for Illawarras at the Toowoomba Royal Show with the breed holding a Feature Show and a breed sale. Vendors who are prepared to put forward top quality animals, are now being sought. Contact Betty Ledger on 0408 484659 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to express an interest or contact any member of the Queensland Branch Committee.
This sale was held on 1st May 2012 at the “Athelglow” property of Athelglow Dairies at Berry. There was a good attendance of buyers and spectators with the higher quality lots attracting much interest.
The Animal Genetics Laboratory at the University of Queensland will be closed over the Christmas week from Monday 24thst December to Tuesday 1st January, inclusive. They'll be back on deck on Wednesday 2nd January for an awesome 2013. PLEASE NOTE: It is recommended that you submit samples by the first week of December should you require results prior to Christmas or for early January to allow for the Christmas holiday period.
SUCCESSOR: New federal president of the Illawarra Cattle Society of Australia Geoff Cochrane (left) with outgoing president Bolong’s David Henry with Beauna Vista Cherry, which was reserve champion cow at this year’s Sydney Royal Show.
By ROBERT CRAWFORD, South Coast Register Newspaper, Nowra.
PYREE dairy farmer Geoff Cochrane has been elected federal president of the Illawarra Cattle Society of Australia.
He has taken over the three-year role from another Shoalhaven farmer, Bolong’s David Henry.
The federation president is the head of the society, who along with a board of directors represents the seven active branches around the country. The society’s head office is in Kiama.
Mr Cochrane was elected at the society’s annual meeting was staged at Malandra on the Atherton Tablelands, west of Cairns.
“Our role as a society is to deal with the affairs of the Illawarra cattle breed,” Mr Cochrane said. “We represent our members and make decisions for the betterment of our breed.”
“There is a lot happening in the breed for the society to deal with from one year to the next,” outgoing president Mr Henry added. “There are always new regulations and issues to be dealt with. Nowadays we seem to have more to do than ever; it’s not just about milking cows.”
“There is also a very social aspect to the society, all the farmers know each other and we always endeavour to get together socially at cattle shows or functions,” Mr Cochrane said.
The Illawarra Cattle Society of Australia has 270 members nationwide and represents producers from South Australia and Victoria to the Atherton Tablelands in the north.
“This is a great honour and it’s fantastic to take over the role from David. His father, Jim, was a great help and mentor to me when I was leaving school and just getting interested in the breed,” Mr Cochrane said.
“The Illawarra breed is doing great things. At the annual meeting it was announced that in the last 10 years it has had the greatest increase in production of any breed in Australia.”
Both men’s families have had an association of more than a century with the breed.
The Henrys have been farming on the Bolong flats since 1903, with Mr Henry’s son Ash, who is now the Beauna Vista property stud manager, the fifth generation to have farmed the property.
“We go back five generations to George Henry, who came out from the Shetland Islands in 1863 and settled in the area in the early 1900s,” Mr Henry said.
This year the Cochrane family celebrates the centenary of the birth of the first of the Gladys cow family. That bloodline still exists today, with a Gladys cow taking out champion Illawarra at this year’s Berry Show.
Describing himself as semi-retired, Mr Cochrane said he has never been so busy with his three sons, Tim, Daniel and Tom all dairying along with their wives Natalie, Bec and Kyleigh on properties at Terara, Wogamia and Pyree.
“I just try and keep an eye on all of them,” he laughs. “With our grandchildren we are now seventh generation farming in the district.”
The society’s previous president, Laurie Chittick, who now farms near Shepparton and was formally from Jamberoo, also has more than 100 years of involvement with the breed through his family.
“It’s pretty amazing that the past three presidents have all been born here in the district where the Illawarra breed was developed some 150 years ago and each of our families have been involved for more than 100 years,” Mr Cochrane said.
Locally the society has been running its annual Spring Fair show for more than 40 years and in recent times has also been involved in the All Breeds Calf Show, which will again be held this Sunday at the Berry Showground.
The All Breeds Heifer Classic was held recently at Berry, NSW. Organised by the Holsteins, the Classic has been running for ten years with all breeds being involved for the last five years approximately.
Eagle Park Monarch Malda 3527 owned and exhibited by Jessica and Brad Gavenlock was named Senior Champion with Tim and Natalie Cochrane’s Bluechip Absolute Pamela being named Honourable Mention. Splitting the two Illawarras in the reserve position was the Cullen family. Also representing the Illawarras in the final senior heifer lineup was Kangawarra Jewel 3794 (Tom & Kylie Cochrane).
Riley Cochrane, son of Tim and Natalie, lead for the first time at the show earning $10 for his effort. He promptly spent the lot shouting his grandfather, Geoff, and brother plus himself of course, an ice cream each.
Senior Heifer lineup:
Senior Champions - L to R: Hon Men, Reserve, Senior Champion
Riley Cochrane exiting the judging ring on his way to the ice cream stand:
Entries are now being invited for an unreserved Illawarra breed sale being organised by the Illawarra and Southern Branch for May 1, 2012 at 'Athelglow', Princes Highway, Berry, NSW.
Reg Cochrane Pastoral Co under the stewardship of Tom and Kylie, emerged victorious not only in the Illawarra ring but also across all breeds for the coveted title of Most Successful Breeder at Sydney's Royal Easter Show.