The On‑Farm Challenge is a national competition in which cows are judged at their home farms rather than being transported to a show. Judges assess animals across a wide range of traits, allocating points to determine overall winners.
Last year’s judge, Janette Falls, is highly experienced and has officiated at shows across Australia. With no cows entered in the competition herself, she agreed to judge for the local club.
Each club submits its winning two‑year‑old, three‑ or four‑year‑old, and five‑years‑and‑over cow. In late December, a professional photographer visits the farms of these winners to capture photos and video footage, which are then used by a national judge to determine the overall champions in each age category.
Local breeder Mayberry Christina 6 has again claimed Champion Cow for the district, the second time she has taken out the title. Her owner Anthony Michael’s passion for Jerseys began in 2002, when he received a Jersey heifer for Father’s Day shortly after moving to a 58‑acre farm outside Deniliquin. Since then, he has continued to breed Jerseys, rearing calves at home before they join other herds for milking.
He currently has cows running with Brett Napier and Stephen and Fiona Waters, whose support he says is essential to keeping his small stud going. The family regularly exhibits at the Deniliquin and Finley Shows, and occasionally at the Royal Melbourne Show and International Dairy Week.
Last year’s presentation brought together breeders, supporters, and community members to recognise another successful year of on‑farm competition.
