South Australia Turns Up The Heat
South Australia’s outstanding cattle and superb hospitality was still resonating with the state’s Kiwi judge several weeks after the event. Duncan Pipe, from New Zealand, is well-versed in Australian Holsteins, he visits often and he avidly follows the breed’s news and developments. He owns cattle in partnership in NSW and in Victoria. While he has travelled to Australia five times this year – this was his first time in South Australia. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I was incredibly impressed,” Duncan said. “I’d say it was the most exciting judging assignment that I’ve ever had, simply because of the calibre of the cows and the amazing hospitality. I had an awesome time, and combining their presentation with their centenary lunch made the whole trip pretty special.” One of the stand-out exhibitors this year was the team from Blackwood Park – fresh off a great run at the Adelaide Royal Show. David and Karen Altmann, milk 500-head at Murray Bridge (including 100 registered Illawarras). They achieve an 11,000-litre average milking three times a day. The herd was averaging 36 litres at 190 days (average) fresh at the time of the competition. The breeding has always been there – the time to show and promote individuals has not. The likeable and modest couple have spent their career working hard to make their cows lives comfortable. They invested heavily in Heatime, reducing their herd’s average days open from 158 to 78 within three years. They recently upgraded to Heatime’s rumination collars. They have also installed 42 tonnes of Sure-foot rubber matting, which took 13,500 drill holes to bolt it down. They are about to start construction on a 168m x 25m wide shed (with no internal spans), which will be bedded in dried compost they will be handling on-farm. The shed will house 500 comfortably under an 11m high roof. The final piece of the Blackwood Park puzzle has ... Read More...
