By BEN CAMERON
After nearly three decades of exhibiting, four Cardinia dairy farmers have taken out a prestigious award at the Royal Melbourne Dairy Show.
A Holstein dubbed Linsand Aspen Cinnamin, exhibited by John and Cherie Gardiner and Lindsay and Nina Marshall, took out the prestigious Supreme Champion Dairy Exhibit.
They also won senior champion dairy cow and champion senior vessel.
Both couples have competed at the show for more than 29 years after starting out in 1973, taking out the top prize for the second time since winning in 1997.
“It takes a lot of dedication and a lot of planning,” John said.
“It takes a lot of years of breeding and bringing the cow to this level.
“Our cow is four, which is relatively young for a cow to achieve what she did.
“The final 24 hours is critical… making her look at as good as she possibly can.”
He said they managed to edge out a competitive field.
“It’s not about the number (of competitors), it’s the quality you’ve got to beat,” he said.
The show provides breeders with an opportunity to promote their discipline, benchmark their stock, gain feedback from industry experts and socialise with fellow breeders.
More than 400 class entries were judged, including 268 dairy cows from 82 exhibitors over three days at Melbourne Showgrounds from Sunday 14 to Tuesday 16 September.
For more information about the 2014 Royal Melbourne Dairy Show and a full list of results, visit www.rasv.com.au/dairy.
