Matt and Nicola Templeton had one of their best ever IDWs.
Photo by
Sophie Baldwin
It was an International Dairy Week to remember for Matt and Nicola Templeton of View Fort Holsteins.
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Not only did the couple take out Intermediate and Interbreed Champion, they also went on to win Grand Champion with View Fort Lambda Butter.
Personally, Matt also had the opportunity to judge the Jersey Show and was named IDW’s 2025 recipient of the Lex Bunn Award, which recognises someone who is a major contributor to the dairy industry but doesn’t seek any recognition.
Ever modest, Matt described IDW 2025 as “pretty good”.
Having hosted an on-farm sale back in November, where the couple had sold some of their very best cows, Matt said he was initially unsure how they would go at IDW.
The fact every animal shown in its own right by View Fort placed top three or better in their class, is testament to the skill this couple have when it comes to showing cattle.
Fairvale Solomon Melody won the five-year-old class, best udder and reserve senior champion.
Matt said it was an honour to see Avonlea Yf Goldwyn Cinnamin ET win the mature class and see her acknowledged in the champion cow class.
“We took eight cows in total, two of which we showed for other exhibitors,” Matt said.
View Fort Jagger Satin — owned by B. Salmon, D. Patten and C. Moscript, and shown by Matt and Nicola — placed second in the junior three in-milk class and went on to be named reserve intermediate champion.
Matt and Nicola Templeton with Holstein judge Mike Duckett.
Photo by
Sophie Baldwin
Matt said it was also great to see two of the heifers sold in the sale place first and second in the junior two class, with View Fort Tattoo Pink, now owned by Benlago Holsteins, take out grand champion in the youth show.
“This was one of the strongest Holstein Shows I have ever seen and having a judge like Mike Duckett in the ring certainly helped with the quality,” Matt said.
“The genetics available have definitely helped to make Australian cows better and better each and every year.”
Matt said having the opportunity to judge the Jersey Show was a dream come true.
“To judge a national show in your home country is such a great honour.
“I have judged overseas before but to do it on your home soil with such a strong show was unbelievable.
“There are some really good young cows coming through and it was also great to see so many new faces and breeders out in the show ring.”
He said the biggest Jersey in-milk class had 18 cows, while the heifer classes were also very strong.
“The five-year-old class was amazing and that’s where the champion and honourable mention came from, but any one of those top four cows could have gone on to win on any given day.”
Grand Champion View Fort Lambda Butter.
Photo by
Sophie Baldwin
Matt said IDW 2025 was certainly one of the best events he had been to in many years.
“It’s great to see the crowds back. The atmosphere was just amazing and I hope it continues to grow over the coming years.
“Social media and live-streaming is great and has the ability to take the Australian dairy industry worldwide, but there is nothing quite like being in the ring and seeing the cows in the flesh.”
And to receive the Lex Bunn Award on top of everything else was the icing on the cake.
“I never expected to win, it was very left field for me,” Matt said.
“I have watched the award year after year but I have never thought of myself in that way.
“I can remember my dad taking me to Tatura in the early years and watching the judging take place under the gum tree.
“I have seen droughts, floods and fires and just about every harsh element Tatura can throw at you and to be recognised for the Lex Bunn award, after being given the opportunity to judge the Jersey Show, was amazing.”
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