SE fair’s $8250 Holstein is lucky last for producer

The sale, revived for the 50th year of the South East Holstein Autumn Fair on the same day, made the highest average price in its history at $4300.

The $8250 top price was for four-year-old Alleen Jerden Posch.

Mr Lucas said they dispersed the rest of their Alleen herd last year, keeping Posch back for the Blue Lake sale.

He had shown at the fair for 48 of its 50 years, finishing this year with an honourable mention in the senior female category. Posch was bred from a dam bought at Milla Milla, Qld, a few years ago.

"We ended up with a pretty handy cow," he said. "Her family had all performed well."

Mr Lucas said holding her back for the night sale had paid off. She was bought by Caveview Partnership, Allendale .

The second-top price of $7100 was paid by the Jones family, Gippsland, Vic, for Bluechip Aftershock Paradise, from Honeymoon Holsteins, Capel, WA.

The show's champion cow was Warrabell Blade Lucky, exhibited by Brett Fiebig, Warrabell, Mount Gambier, who said the win was "a bit of a shock". His family had shown at the fair since 1995, exhibiting two reserve champions, and Blade Lucky was their first champion. Blade Lucky had given them some success in on-farm competitions.

"This is the third year she's been shown at the fair, and she has previously stood second or third to some other good cows," Mr Fiebig said. "This year was the right time for her.

"It's just nice to win but it's a bonus to win it in the 50th year."

Lucky was out of a cow bought by Mr Fiebig and his father at the Eden Valley sale in 2004 in the Adelaide Hills.

"She's always been a good cow to work with," he said. "Her whole family have been really good for us - good milkers and temperament."

Judge David Stalker, New Zealand, like the balance of the seven-year-old Blade Lucky.

Reserve champion cow was Fairvale Talent Tara, exhibited by Thompson, McKay and Goss, who recently relocated their stud from Tas to the SE.

Holstein Friesian Association of Australia SE Sub Branch president and fair coordinator Vaughn Roberts said he was pleased with the support for the show and sale.

"The quality of the show was very good, probably the strongest show we've had for a long time," he said.

Dinner on the Thursday night was a "great way" to celebrate the occasion.

"The atmosphere among past members, past sponsors, and past judges, made it a great night for all," Mr Roberts said.

"There was lots of reminiscing and old stories being told. Everyone went away with a buzz."

Mr Roberts said the committee was already looking at ways to make the 51st event bigger and better.

"There were enough reasons for the event to grow - it's quite exciting," he said.