The winner of the Australian Cow of the Year 2015/16 was 14-year-old Rengaw Goldbullion Janea EX-91(6E). Janea has produced over 100,000kg milk and is the granddam of the Nr.1 & Nr.2 BPI sires, full-brothers Geemcee and Wrangler (MOM x Shottle).
For Tasmanian breeder George Wagner, who has recently retired after running the Rengaw herd, the award caps off a stellar exit from the industry.
In the past 12 months, the herd has being judged the top in Australia, has had the number one genomic cow and bull and has produced four of the country’s current top bulls in Geemcee, Wrangler, Challenger and Janek.
Mr Wagner said it was “a nice way to retire” and was full of praise for his cow Janea.
“She won the on-farm challenge as a two-year-old but was never really shown,” Mr Wagner said.
“She is the grandmother of two proven Holstein bulls and her progeny do well so I guess this is recognition for the contribution she has made to the industry.”
Janea now lives on his daughter Courtney and her husband Jarred Ireland’s farm at Lockington where Janea calved in May and is currently being milked with their herd.
“She’s a great old cow that has paid her way,” Mr Wagner said.
“She’s from a top cow family but she’s exceeded all expectations.
“Her female progeny continue to be top producers and her male progeny will influence the Australian dairy industry for years to come.”
At 14, Janea has produced more than 105,000 litres of milk including one lactation of more than 12,000 litres.
Judge Geoff Wood said Janea “stood out for her exceptional milk production, which is high in protein and fat, combined with potential influence on the Holstein breed, as the dam of four elite bulls”.
“The cow of the year is not easily achieved.
“It requires a cow to excel in everything, not just one area.”
Mr Wood paid tribute to the runner up, with Leader Durham Satin, EX-91-SE judged second for breeders Dean and Melissa Deans of Oakey, Queensland.
