Jersey Australia will host the conference for the first time since 2011. The three-week event will attract visitors from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Jersey Islands, South Africa and Colombia.
The tour starts in Melbourne on April 7 in Gippsland and finishes in Sydney on Tuesday, April 22 and will take visitors across the Gippsland, Victorian south-west, the NSW south coast and six farms in northern Victoria.
On Monday, April 14, an online sale of 26 lots will be held at Moama.
Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said participants would see some of the best Jersey herds in the world.
“I think everyone will be impressed by the Australian Jersey and the Australian hospitality,” Mr Barrett said.
“Australia has a world-leading Jersey population and we will be visiting some of the premier herds, including some that guests may not have seen before.
“Every herd will tell a terrific story.”
The tour will include visits to the top BPI herds, Master Breeder herds and several younger farmers starting to make a mark on the Jersey scene.
Guests can also participate in the annual Jersey Elite Awards, which recognise Master Breeders, Elite Cows and Bulls and announce the Great Australian Challenge winners and the Dairy’s Finest Sale will be on April 14 at Moama.
Mr Barrett said the latest DataGene statistics showed Jerseys were continuing a steady rise in popularity.
The Australian national herd data recorded a two per cent increase in the number of Jersey cattle during the past year and an eight per cent in the past decade, rising to a total of about 17.4 per cent.
The World Jersey Cattle Bureau represents Jersey breeders and their organisations around the world.
Jersey Australia president Geoff Akers said this was an exciting opportunity to showcase the Australian Jersey breed to international delegates and the world.
“We are showcasing Master Breeder herds across northern Victoria and then visiting the largest Jersey herds in Australia, Wyoming Jerseys in southern NSW.
“We last hosted the world conference over 20 years ago and its great to have it back in Australia,” Mr Akers said.
The farm tour will visit Jugiong Jerseys at Girgarre, Bookbora Jerseys at Tennyson, Kaarmona Jerseys at Kaarimba, Loxleigh Jerseys at Tallygaroopna, Wyoming Jerseys at Mayrung and Darrynvale Jerseys at Milawa.
19°C