2009 jersey extravaganza & northern Lights sale
jersey australia & NDJBC member
jugiong jerseys
Girgarre in the north of Victoria is the venue for the state’s major multi-vendor sale hosted by one of the breed’s foremost advocates, the Nicholson family of Jugiong Jerseys.
A large crowd of fellow jersey devotees each year attend the Northern Lights sale. Some of Australia’s most exciting and elite pedigree jerseys are offered for sale held at the Nicholson family property, home to Bill and Evelyn; their sons Patrick and Brendon and brother and sister-in-law Phil and Amy.
They represent the third and fourth generation of the Nicholson family involved in dairying and breeding jerseys.
2009 marks the 77th anniversary since Jugiong Jerseys was established at the foothills of the Grampians, Moyston on sheep country. Then moved to its current location in 1973 and currently farming 200ha of flat, irrigated country near Kyabram. Jugiong has grown to be one of the largest registered herds of Jerseys in the country today.
Based on Grangelea and Francliff bloodlines in the early days, and saturated in North American genetics since the late 80's, production has continued to climb to its present level.
Last season the 435 cows averaged 6870 litres, 4.7%, 329 kg butterfat, 3.7%, 261 kgs protein, 296 days.
Due to the on going drought supplementary feeding has increased dramatically with the pasture component of the diet being replaced with hay and grain. Currently feeding 2 tonne of grain per cow.
While production has always been the main objective, Jugiong has been very successful in the show ring and in on-farm challenges.
In fact, since 1999, Jugiong jersey cows have claimed 6 senior champion cow titles in the annual November on-farm challenge with: Jugiong Daydream 349 Sup 92 Ex (1999 & 2000)Jugiong Ilagay 142 Sup 92 (2003), Jugiong Prudence 108 Sup 93 Ex (2005), Jugiong Ranunculus 4629 Sup 93 (2006), Jugiong Ilagay 4712 Sup 93 Ex (2007)
The stud has exhibited the champion cow at International Dairy Week and many Shepparton national champions and Interbreed Champion 5 times. Since 1993 Jugiong has exhibited the champion at the Victorian Autumn Fair, 16 shows in succession!
Jugiong has also represented the Northern District Jersey Breeders’ Club on many occasions in the Great Southern Challenge and, in 2003, won the title with Jugiong Ilagay 142 Sup 92.
Among the stars of the stud have been Jugiong Prudence 108 Sup 93 Ex named champion cow at IDW 2006. A Pitino daughter, as a six-year-old she had finished top four at IDW five times and won her class three times.
JUGIONG ILAGAY 4712 SUP 93 EX
The current glamour cow is Jugiong Ilagay 4712 Sup 93 Ex, over 10,700 litres and Senior Champion Dairy Cow Shepparton National 2007 & 2008. Her only daughter sells in the Northern Lights Sale 2009.
Pat Nicholson said the stud aimed for “profitable cows that are pleasing to the eye. We have never chased index instead breeding for above average production from the type of cows you enjoy getting up in the morning to milk.”
Jugiong genetics have extended widely across the national and international Jersey scene both through bulls, heifer and embryos sales.
NICHOLSON FAMILY
771 CURR ROAD
GIRGARRE 3624
03 5854 6393 BH
03 5854 6513 AH
0438 347 737 MOB
Email jugiong@bigpond.com
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