International Dairy Week: What’s on at Tatura Jan 16-20

International Dairy Week is back at Tatura with an impressive line-up of judges and competitions. Here’s what you need to know.

Dairy farming families from across Australia will descend on Tatura this weekend for International Dairy Week, which kicks off on Sunday.

IDW event co-ordinator Stacey Leppert said the five-day annual event will proceed with a number of Covid safety measures.

“As you can understand, there has been a huge amount of planning to prepare for International Dairy Week. We have a digital ticketing system this year, many of our exhibitors are outside,” Ms Leppert said.

“Like other events, Covid vaccination double dose is mandatory. On individual exhibitor sites, we have separate QR codes.

“There will be lots of signage, provided by both International Dairy Week and the City of Greater Shepparton to promote social distancing.

“Masks aren’t mandatory but encouraged for outside exhibits. Masks are mandatory for all inside events.”

IDW was forced to cancel last year’s event due to the pandemic.

Willy McKay, a diary farmer from Irrewillipe, is an associate judge for the Jersey breeds at the International Dairy week. Picture: Nicole Cleary

WHAT’S ON

The first competition will be held at Sunday lunchtime with the Holstein Australia Victoria Youth Challenge Trials.

Irrewillipe dairy farmer Willy McKay is an associate judge in the Jersey category this year.

Originally from cropping country between Cincinnati and Columbus, Mr McKay’s old Ohio stomping ground is currently shivering through a subzero cold snap.

It’s quite the contrast to his new home near Colac.

But the southwest Victorian dairy farmer says climatic conditions aside, Australian and American farmers share many things in common, not least a competitive streak.

“Weather is the big difference between here and where I’m from back in the States,” the native of the city of Washington Court House, Ohio, said.

“The biggest dairy show here is held in the heat of the summer.

“In America, competitions like International Dairy Week are held in autumn, so you’re preparing things differently.”

Mr McKay has been attending International Dairy Week ever since moving to Australia nine years ago – although, like every other farmer, he had to miss last year’s event, which was cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

Tamworth-based Brian Wilson will be judging alongside Mr McKay at this week’s event.

It’s the first time Mr Wilson has been on the adjudication side of the fence, having swept the field in 2016 with a Jersey grand champion as well as clinching the supreme champion of all breeds title.

Action from a previous International Dairy Week. Picture: Dannika Bonser

“2016 was a big year for us but because we’re a long drive away, we don’t get to Tatura every year,” he said.

“When we do though, it’s always well attended and well organised.

“It’s the biggest dairy exhibition in the southern hemisphere and the best of the best want to be there.”

On Monday, the ABS Australia/Ridley All Breeds National Youth Show will be held along with the Sherri Martin Youth Showmanship Classes.

Tuesday will showcase some of the nation’s top cattle with the Ayrshire and Guernsey shows followed by the Illawarra, Brown Swiss and Jersey Heifer categories.

IDW director Declan Patten said while it was hard to determine how many attendees would flock to Tatura next week, many were keen to see the event return for 2022.

“It’s great to have a celebration of dairy and agriculture in general after the mass cancellation of events last year,” he said.

“Tickets have sold well but obviously it’s hard to predict what the numbers will be. What we do know is that we’ll have more than 100 exhibitors coming to Tatura.

“We had the cancellation of International Dairy Week last year, most of the royal and other large agricultural shows last year, so people are keen to exhibit again, meet up again.”

The Jersey Cow and Holstein Heifer showcases have been scheduled for Wednesday, followed by a new “Create the Future” sale in the Blackmore and Leslie Complex.

As an alternative to a series of breed-specific sales, one all-breeds sale - the Create the Future Sale will be all-encompassing.

“We had an online sale in lieu of the in-person sale last year and it was hugely successful, so we’re using that format but also having it in-person this year,” Mr Patten said.

On the final day, the Holstein, Intermediate Champion, Lex Bunn Memorial Award, Senior Champion and Australia’s Grand Champion will be revealed.

Proceedings will wrap up with the IDW Interbreed, Australia’s grand champion presentation, on Thursday afternoon.

COVID CANCELS REGIONAL EVENTS

The Royal Geelong Agricultural and Pastoral Society recently cancelled its 2022 Geelong Classic Truck and Machinery Show, with smaller agricultural shows that rescheduled from spring to January also postponing events.

Some event coordinators pulled the pin early on 2022 events, including organisers of the Sungold Field Days.

The field days, usually held in Allansford by Warrnambool Cheese and Butter and in more recent times by Saputo, was taken over by McPherson Media Group last month.

MMG events manager Jamie Gilbert indicated the Sungold Field Days would not be held in 2022 with organisers seeking a new venue in the Warrnambool region for a 2023 event.