Wonthaggi farmer Lisa Broad elected Jersey Australia president

Jersey Australia’s first female president Lisa Broad wants the caramel-coloured cows to become the nation’s top breed.

Wonthaggi farmer Lisa Broad is new president of Jersey Australia.

MANY men have championed the Jersey breed in representative bodies dating back to the 1890s. But not one woman has headed an advocacy group promoting the breed until now.

Jersey Australia’s first female president Lisa Broad wants the caramel-coloured cows to become the nation’s top breed.

Over the past decade, Jerseys have risen from 11 per cent to 15 per cent of the national herd and the Wonthaggi farmer believes there’s more room to move upwards.

“My goal is that people will see the Jersey cow as the most popular and profitable cow,” Mrs Broad said.

“We want to pursue every way possible to educate the wider community that she is the best cow.”

Australian herd data shows Jerseys produce up to 30 per cent more milk solids per 100kg bodyweight than Holsteins.

“Jerseys keep proving themselves as the most profitable cow and as an organisation we have to find ways to educate the industry about this,” Mrs Broad said.

“The general dairy farmer wants a profit at the end of the day, and if the Jersey cow can provide the biggest profit margin, we all need to get on and milk her.”

Mrs Broad farms with her husband Lynton and son Gavin near Wonthaggi and joined the Jersey Australia board shortly after its inception in 2008.

She is the first female president of Jersey Australia or its predecessor bodies that date back to the 1890s.

“It’s definitely a good thing that a woman can take on such a role as we’ve only had the door ajar recently for such opportunities, but, to me, what matters is that you can fit the role properly no matter who you are,” she said.

“It’s exciting and challenging to lead the organisation. I pride myself on inclusion and making sure members are brought along on the journey and hope to keep getting even better at that.”

Mrs Broad said Jersey Australia played a vital role in advancing the breed and would continue to work on research and genetic development projects.

Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said Mrs Broad’s appointment was a positive change for the breed and industry.

“The election is recognition of the work that Lisa has done during her time with the board and her growth through the ranks as chair of the genetics committee and as senior vice president,” Mr Barrett said.

Mrs Broad has been farming all her life. She grew up on a South Gippsland farm and moved to northern Victoria for 28 years before moving back to Wonthaggi two years ago.

She replaced Chris MacKenzie as president.

The new Jersey Australia vice president is Brian Wilson and treasurer Jamie Drury, both from Tamworth. Jane Sykes from Tasmania has returned as chair of promotions and Wayne Kuhne from Victoria replaces Mrs Broad as chair of the genetics and breed development committee.

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