This exceptional quality Kakadu daughter, from a Ladysman daughter of the 2019 International Dairy Week Grand Champion Cow Exkwizit Active, Barbell is backed by the famed Brookleigh B family.
The price came as a bit of a surprise for vendors Andrew and Abbey Crawford from Numbaa (near Nowra in NSW), who were nevertheless delighted by the price paid by Ray Perkins and Shirleen Evans from Laceby.
Other sale lots to sell well included Rockmar Penney Koala, who was the next top priced lot selling for $11,000.
This deep framed 12-month-old daughter of Kearla Latimer Koala 4, EX, the IDW 2023 Reserve Champion Cow, sold on account of M. and R. Shea of Bacchus Marsh to the Sean Tomkins Syndicate of NSW.
The same buyers also selected Glamorous Ladysman Fancy, a daughter of Golden Ray Fancy 3, EX, 3E with 496kg fat at $5000.
The Crawfords also sold Glamorous Design Barbell, an eight-month-old daughter of the Active Barbell cow at $6500 to P. and C. Castles of Allansford, Victoria.
Other noted lots included the stylish heifer Rockmar Vengeance Jackie who sold due to sexed Denzel for $5500 to I. Ross of Poowong from M. and R. Shea.
Sale organiser Darby Norris said the sale was all about continuing to grow recognition and get the Guernsey breed out and into other herds.
“Compared to other breeds, Guernseys are a docile and easy to manage animal with good milk production. They are not as big as a Holstein, but are bigger than a Jersey, so they fit in well with any herd,” Mr Norris said.
A statement echoed by the Crawford family who chose to place five lots in this sale.
“We wanted to give other people the opportunity to get into some of these great cow families and Kakadu Barbell was our fourth lot, we were amazed when the price kept going up and up,” Mr Crawford said.
“We have spent a fair bit on breeding up our numbers over the years, so it was good to finally get a bit of money back.”
The Crawfords milk 900 cows, 50 of which are now Guernsey.
Initially they went into Guernseys because Mr Crawford had always wanted to milk the breed — over the years they themselves have bought quite a few animals from sales across the country.
Personally they have also invested heavily in IVF to build up stock numbers.
“I would encourage anyone to try a Guernsey. They are a robust animal that suits any system,” he said.
With vendors from Victoria and interstate, the 25 heifers averaged $4390 along with on embryo package selling for $800 per embryo.
Mr Norris said he was delighted by the results of this sale and he wanted to thank everyone who participated and helped make the day such a success.
They are hoping to hold another sale in 2026.
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