Holstein Australia and STGenetics have launched the STG Australia Virtual Holstein Spectacular.
Back in 2020 we came up with the Virtual Holsteins concept as a one-off event to replace the Semex-Holstein Australia On-Farm Competition which couldn’t take place due to COVID restrictions. Sub-branches and members really missed the On-Farm competition, while really embracing the Virtual concept too.
The concept remains the same, but we also learnt a lot the first time, plus STG Australia have shared their learnings from running the online STG Australia Dairy Youth Expo.
The single biggest request from HA members was ‘can we enter more animals?’. The answer is yes, with members able to enter two animals per class across the five classes.
Changes have also been made to the STG Australia Virtual Holstein Spectacular website to make the entry process easier. The competition timeline has also been shortened, with winner announcements and awards taking place more quickly.
How do members enter?
All that is required is an owner-filmed video of each cow entered. If you are not sure if your video is up to scratch, check out our example video.
All the information you need, including the Virtual Holstein Spectacular rules, ‘how to film your animals’ guide, sample video, competition timeline and access to the entry website can be found on the competitions page on the HA website.
The entry process is really straightforward:
- Record a 30 – 45 second video of your animal on your phone
- Go to holsteinspectacular.com.au to enter
- Enter your member number then use the dropdown menu to select your cow’s ID details, making sure to check that DOB and number of lactations and correct them if necessary.
- Upload your video by clicking ‘Choose File’. Once your video has uploaded (the submit button will turn green) hit submit.
There are five classes with members able to enter two animals per class from 2 year old’s’ through to 6 years plus. When members select the animals they want to enter on the Holstein Spectacular website each animal will automatically be put into the correct class based on date of birth.
- 2 year old (Born after 1/7/2019)
- 3 year old (Born 1/7/2018 to 30/6/2019)
- 4 year old (Born 1/7/2017 to 30/6/2018)
- 5 year old (Born 1/7/2016 to 30/6/2017)
- 6 year old and over (Born on or before 30/6/2016)
Entries close on Thursday 28th April, the last week of the school holidays in many states.
Entry is open to all HA members and is free, including youth members. You can enter up to 10 cows (2 in each class). Cows entered must be registered at the time of entry.
Each Sub-Branch has the opportunity to hold its own competition, with the top two animals per class going through to the regional competition, and the top two per class from the regional comp going through to the national final.
Sub-branch, Regional and National judging will take place early May, with the National Finals Presentation streamed on Facebook at the end of the month. All Sub-branch and regional competitions will also feature on our Facebook page.
There is a $1,250 per class prize pool at National level, trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each class for the Regionals and Nationals and certificates for Sub-branch winners and placegetters.
The competition is a real team effort with many moving parts, not the least of which is the judging. We’ll be announcing 16 Sub-branch, 9 Regional and our National judge over the next few weeks.
-Holstein Australia