DAIRY farmers Simon Reid and Belinda Egan have a self-sustainable outlook on their Garvoc property, growing as much feed as possible for their 200 registered Jersey milkers.
But after shifting from Larpent in March last year to lease 138 hectares just outside Panmure, little did they know the season would quickly turn sour.
"We spent a lot on buying in feed and even now it will probably take another 12 months to get back on top again," Mr Reid said.
With spring now underway, it's a completely different situation this year.
"We had 15 inches (381 millimetres) of rain from June until August," he said.
"We had to change rotations so the cows didn't pug the paddocks."
The couple's attention has now turned to fodder preparations, with about 40-48ha expected to be shut off for silage and hay production.
"Our main emphasis is on being self-sustainable," Mr Reid said.
"We could milk 300 cows but we would be buying in more feed."
The family aim to turn out five rolls of silage per milking cow, in addition to hay rolls.
Some cereal hay is purchased too, and six kilograms of grain is fed out daily per cow.
"Other Jersey breeders might feed slightly less but we are trying to maintain production," Mr Reid said.
The herd produces on about 6500 litres per cow and regularly sits in the top bracket of Jersey Australia's production awards.
On average Mr Reid and Ms Egan's cows churn out 540kg of milk solids, or 4.7 per cent fat and 3.8pc protein.
"We don't want to push any higher than that," he said.
"We're happy with that."
And while feeding plays a big role in performance, breeding decisions are important too.
They use the guidance of Amy Wright, Genetics Australia, who helps formulate a mating program.
"Amy has been helping us for the past six to seven years – we swear by her," Mr Reid said.
"I'll pick out five or six bulls and she'll pick out the right sires and match them up."
In the past they've obtained good results from sires such as Blackstone and Astound.
The couple also stress that rearing calves is a central part of their operation.
"If you are spending money on good bulls then you need to give them every chance to reach that potential," he said.
About 60-80 heifer calves are reared each year, kept on liquid for as long as possible.
"We don't wean until 16 weeks, which is a long time, but we find out some of our best calves are the ones that were kept on milk," Ms Egan said.
"They grow out better."
After weaning, the calves are placed on a separate part of the farm and fed grain until they are ready to be joined.
The Warrnambool Cheese & Butter (WCB) suppliers are steadfast Jersey breeders, running the family studs Jackiah and Ripponlea.
The fact that they run only Jersey cows means they've able to supply milk to WCB's Sungold Jersey Milk brand.
"It does work out better because the Jerseys have higher components," Mr Reid said.
"And if the demand grows, they may pay more."
The couple are aiming to purchase their own farm in the future.
They are happy leasing but say ownership offers more security.
"You do want something to call your own at the end of the day," Mr Reid said.
Keen to show their wares
SHOWING cows is another tool to add value to a herd.
That's according to Simon Reid and Belinda Egan, who milk 200 registered Jerseys at Garvoc under the stud prefixes Ripponlea and Jackiah.
"The pedigree is on record," Mr Reid said.
"And it's a way to promote your herd."
The couple have been showing their own animals at the Royal Melbourne Dairy Show only since 2010 but have had plenty of experience in the show-ring.
"I've always helped out friends and gone to local shows," Ms Egan said.
This year the couple have prepared about four Jerseys for the event: three milkers and one heifer.
One of their best performances at Melbourne was in 2010 when their heifer Jackiah Fighterjet Bell won its class as an in-milk two-year-old.
Ms Egan said the animals were shedded at night and halter-trained a couple of months before being shown.
"They do get pampered," she said.
