Reece Attenborough’s Leading Edge Genetics win

While Sir David Attenborough is best known for his wildlife documentaries, his Gippsland namesakes are without peer when it comes to Jerseys.

Having the surname Attenborough is synonymous with working with remarkable creatures.

But while Sir David Attenborough is best known for his documentaries on giraffes and jaguars, his Gippsland namesakes are without peer when it comes to Jerseys.

Reece and Toni Attenborough’s Jersey Attaview Valin Melanie 2594 took out top honours at the Leading Edge Genetics On-Farm Competition, one of the largest competitions of its kind nationwide.

Judges awarded Valin 2594 the prize for the 4 to 5-year-old class before handing it the top honour at a recent Gippsland ceremony.

“She’s a cow as a two-year-old had potential — she matured on her second half. I’m biased because I’m her owner but we knew we had something special,” Reece said.

Reece and Toni Attenborough with kids: 7yo Jack, 5yo Ruby, 3yo Grace and 1yo Harper at Poowong with Leading Edge Genetics award winning cow named Attaview Valin Melanie 2594. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Other Leading Edge winners included Lancey Farms from Nyora with their entry NT 80 in the mature cow class, while Brett and Jodi Loughridge from Poowong North won the group class, which showcases three animals sired by the same sire.

Ash and Jane Harrison from Nerrena claimed top honours in the two-year-old class with their winning entry was Dylan Pip, and also took out the title of most successful exhibitor.

PICTURED: Reece and Toni Attenborough with kids: 7yo Jack, 5yo Ruby, 3yo Grace and 1yo Harper on farm at Poowong Picture: Zoe Phillips

The Leading Edge encouragement award was presented to Bonnie Ross, who is currently working on her Heath Hill family farm in Gippsland.

Leading Edge Genetics owner-manager Brad Aitken said nearly 400 head of cattle from 57 different breeders were entered in this year’s competition.

“Each year, I marvel at the quality of cows presented in this competition,” he said.

“It truly has become one of the leading on-farm competitions here in Australia.”