During Australia’s International Dairy Week over 900 cattle are entered into seven National Shows, with breeders and exhibitors from all States of Australia competing fiercely for the pride and honour of winning at IDW.
Dairy Cattle enthusiasts can take in the spectacle with reknown Australian and International Judges in action over the week.
ABS Australia/Ridley All Breeds National Youth Show – Monday at 8.00 am
The youth of the dairy industry have the chance to showcase their skills in showring etiquette, showmanship, preparation of cattle for showing, washing, clipping, feeding and herdsmanship. Interested entrants need to be between the age of 8 and under 21 years.
IDW Sheri Martin Memorial Youth Showmanship Classes – Monday from 3.00 pm
At the conclusion of the Show, the young handlers are encouraged to enter the IDW Sheri Martin Memorial Youth Showmanship Classes with prizes supported and presented by Ridley. There are four sections for young handlers to participate in:
- Senior Section (aged 18 – 20 years on day of show; ie not to have turned 21 on Show Day)
- Intermediate Section (aged 14-17 years on day of show)
- Primary Section (aged 11-13 years on day of show)
- Junior Section (aged 8-10 years on day of show)
Named in honour and in memory of the late Sheri Martin of Rochester, Victoria. Sheri Martin developed her dairy showmanship skills as a young person attending youth camps. She worked for Genetics Australia and volunteered her time to run many camps. All Sheri’s spare time went into teaching young people about showmanship. Sheri was a great person, a great contributor and it is indeed an honour to present these awards in her memory.
National Illawarra & National Ayrshire Shows – Tuesday at 8.00 am
The ring is split into two and on Tuesday morning the National Illawarra and Ayrshire Shows are held from 8.00 am.
National Guernsey & Brown Swiss Shows – Tuesday – at 1.30 pm
Action in the ring on Tuesday afternoon will see the National Guernsey and Brown Swiss Shows taking place from 1.30 pm to approximately 4.30 pm.
National Jersey Show – Wednesday – at 8.00 am with the Jersey Australia Futurity Class at 1.30 pm.
The National Jersey Show takes place on Wednesday commencing at 8.00 am concluding at approximately 11.00 am for a break. The Jersey Australia Futurity Class is held at 1.00 pm. The National Jersey Show commences again at 1.30 pm with Supreme Champion judging at approximately 4.30 to 5.00 pm.
National Holstein Show – Thursday – at 8.00 am
Thursday is National Holstein Show Day. Action starts at 8.00 am with a break after Class 8 from approximately 11.30 am to 1.30 pm.
The RASV Interbreed Champions
Held during Thursday, the Junior Champions, Intermediate and Senior Champions of each of the Ayrshire, Illawarra, Guernsey, Brown Swiss, Jersey and Holstein Breed Shows will take to the show ring again to compete for the RASV Interbreed Champion Awards and Australia’s Grand Champion.
Australia’s Grand Champion – Thursday – from 4.30 pm
At the conclusion of the National Holstein Show, the Senior Champions from each of the 6 breed shows will come back into the ring for the Grand Parade and judging of Australia’s Grand Champion.