Colin Gilbert and his wife Elda, with one of the top-selling cows, Isla, at the Guernsey sale at Rochester Showgrounds.
When Western Australian dairy farmer Colin Gilbert wanted to sell his award-winning Guernsey herd, he chose to take all 50 head on a 3000km road trip to Rochester.
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The result was an auction that achieved a total clearance and a second-highest average for a Guernsey sale in Australia, at $5271.
Two mature cows sold for $21,000 each.
Mr Gilbert was motivated by Rochester’s history with Guernsey herds and a successful sale of his stud cattle in 2021 that set a world record for average prices, staged in the town.
Conversely, WA’s dairy industry is struggling.
“Nobody wants dairy cows in WA. The industry is ruined,” Mr Gilbert told Country News.
The number of registered dairy farms in WA has decreased from 150 to around 120 since 2021, and the industry faces limited competition from processors, adverse weather conditions and rising input costs.
“Rochester was good to us three years ago and when I spoke to Brian (Leslie) he said why don’t you come back here?” Mr Gilbert said.
“Rochester was traditionally a stronghold for Guernseys. It has a history of sales here. It has good facilities, it has been good to us.”
One of the top-selling Guernseys, Gilbert LM Hitette, sold for $21,000. The six-year-old cow classified EX90 is due to calve in January.
Mr Gilbert, who is looking forward to retiring, was supported by the Guernsey network in getting the cattle prepared.
Shifting the last of his dispersal herd from Dandalup, WA, and keeping the valuable Guernseys in good shape for the impending sale was an epic task, for a 3200km journey, accomplished with just one B-double truck.
The group of 52 included three cows highly classified in the stud industry, known as EX, and nine more classified as VG.
“We stopped and unloaded them at the Dublin South Australian livestock exchange north of Adelaide at 11pm at night and spelled them for six hours,” Mr Gilbert said of the journey.
“We milked them out with a single milking unit. We spelled them and gave them hay.
“Then we loaded them up about 4am and drove non-stop through to Stanhope.”
The cattle spent a month at Todd Brown’s farm at Stanhope, and in the week prior to the sale, they were moved to the pavilions at the Rochester Showgrounds to prepare them.
Equal top-selling cow for $21,000 at the Gilbert Guernsey sale was Gilbert PC Isla, classified EX92.
Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said the auction average was the second highest for a Guernsey herd in Australia.
“It was no mean feat to bring them across the Nullarbor in such good condition,” Mr Leslie said.
He praised the offering as having tremendous capacity and strength, with a depth of pedigree.
Mr Gilbert was the only breeder to show a Guernsey and a Holstein to win the supreme champion dairy cow (all breeds) at Perth Royal, and exhibited champions at International Dairy Week in Tatura.
While the bidding was under way at the Rochester Gilbert Guernsey sale, 15-month-old Maisie Braybon decided it was time for a refreshing drink. Maisie is the daughter of Tim and Juleesa Braybon from Numurkah.
Gilbert JCP Hallie sold for $11,000 at the Gilbert Guernsey sale.
Gilbert Sigrid 37, led by Todd Brown, sold for $9500.
A heifer born last year, Gilbert Sigrid 42, sold for $7000.
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