Silhouette is the number 8 ABV herd for August 2006 proofs after 2 years of herd building and has been number 1 on several occasions.
Our origins go back to 1960, when the family moved from a small farm on Gunbower Island to the present farm at Kotta, 25km south west of Echuca on the Murray River in Victoria. To increase herd numbers cows were purchased from local studs and sales, most of the families of cows being milked today originated from purchases made at that time.
A.I. was used at a very early stage, the first A.I. daughters arriving in 1969, the need to use good bulls was recognized early also and priority was given to selecting the best available each season. Along with A.I. it was soon realized that progeny testing was an essential part of breeding and the responsibility of each farmer using A.I. to put back into the industry. As the result of Progeny Testing, many good cows have been born and gone on to become part of the breeding of many of the good cows of today, many years earlier than if P.T. was not used.
We started using North American genetics in 1987, but do not restrict ourselves to purchasing from one country of origin. We proudly use Australian bred and proven bulls as well as those from New Zealand Canada and Denmark.
The whole herd was registered through the Genetic Recovery program shortly after it's commencement. Several bulls over the years have been sold into A.I., including - Topage, Chelsea, Economy, Method, Exacter, Soluke, Lustre, Lexen, JELucifer, Examiner, Exciting, Exceptional, Messenger, Mantra, Copperfield, Explosive, Xfile, Midway, Dairyking, Martinet and Mediator are all proven. Next to receive proofs are Memento, Musicman & Meritson.
For the last 6 -8 years the Northern Victorian Irrigation Area (and many other parts of Australia) has been going through what has been called a one in 100 year drought, this has created very difficult conditions to farm under and has been a challenge to getting the best conditions for dairy cattle to perform under and the results genetically possible. Our production figures have not been what we had hoped for, but within the herd the good cows have still shone and have gotten on with the job still producing well under any circumstances. Hopefully this terrible time is nearly over and we can again provide optimal conditions for the girls to make the best of.
