Three cheers for the Red and White

By Sophie Baldwin

Jan 24, 2025

For the first time in International Dairy Week history, a Red and White Holstein has taken out Senior Interbreed and Supreme Champion Cow, Lightning Ridge CMD Dback Barbara, owned by Instyle and Rusty Red’s Juddy Jennings and Brenton Thomas.

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And for Brenton, it was back-to-back wins, with Instyle Solomon Dahlia winning last year.

Both Brenton and Juddy were lost for words when Barbara took home the top award telling Around the Barn’s Casey Trealor it was a dream come true.

“Unbelievable, and a privilege to win with a cow I own with Brenton,” Juddy said.

The six-year-old took Juddy’s eye when he bought her as a heifer — Brenton bought into her at a later date.

The boys — from Cooriemungle in south-west Victoria — are hoping she is in-calf and will be back in 2026 to defend her title.

Gorbro’s Drew and Glen Gordon with International Dairy Week’s Senior Champion and Reserve All Breeds Champion Windy View Chief Justine. It was the Cohuna Holstein stud’s most successful IDW. Photo by Sophie Baldwin

For Holstein judge Mike Duckket, the entire show was great from junior animals right through to the senior champion, and he couldn’t fault the quality of cattle on show.

IDW director Declan Patten said it was great to see a Red and White take out the win for the first time.

He also said it was one of the best Holstein shows he had ever seen with regard to quality and depth of cattle.

“I think that’s what happens when you have a world-class judge in Mike Duckket in the show ring

“He is one of the most influential cattlemen in the world, and he really lifted the bar with people proud to present their cows to someone of that calibre,” Declan said.

In another first, Declan said it was great to host a celebration dinner in the main arena in honour of IDW’s 35th year.

“We managed to pull it off without a hitch, and we will look to do this again. It also gave the Power of Women in Dairy added exposure and I am a very strong supporter of that initiative,” Declan said.

Matt and Nicola Templeton with Intermediate and Interbreed Champion and Grand Champion View Fort Lambda Butter. Photo by Sophie Baldwin

On a personal note, Declan said it was a highlight to see Matt Templeton awarded the Lex Bunn award for passion, dedication and commitment to the industry.

Matt has generously shared his battle with cancer, and despite telling the Around the Barn podcast his doctor told him to go into palliative care six months ago, he was able to judge the Jersey show and also go on to have an incredibly successful Holstein show.

Alongside his wife Nicola, the couple won Intermediate and Interbreed Champion, and went on to win Grand Champion with View Fort Lambda Butter.

“The Templeton’s success story has been my favourite part of 2025,” Declan said.

IDW 2025 was also the most successful show for Gorbro Holsteins, from Cohuna, taking out Junior Champion and All Breeds Junior Champion with Gorbro Lambda Violet, Senior Champion and Reserve All Breeds Champion with Windy View Chief Justine and premier breeder and exhibitor, along with many class wins.

“We paid $20,000 for Justine two years ago because back then we thought she was good enough – her dairy quality, width throughout and her udder — make her a milking machine,” Glen said.

Glen said Gorbro would be hosting a Valentine’s Day sale on February 14 at their farm from 11am, with all the heifers in their show team available for sale among the 130 lots of different ages.