An event that recognises the finest Jersey cows in Australia is being relaunched with a new name and format.
Jersey Australia has changed the make-up of its on-farm challenge which has been consolidated into a national competition.
The former Great Southern and Great Northern events have ended with club and regional winners now going directly to the national title.
The event will be known as the Genetics Australia Great Australian Challenge with Genetics Australia becoming naming rights sponsor for the next three years.
Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said it was time to focus on the national title.
“The Great Southern and Great Northern events served the organisation well for many years but with changes at club level we felt it was better to build value into the Great Australian title,” Mr Barrett said.
“It will still operate the same at a club level but we have consolidated the competition and removed the intermediary stages. It ultimately brings the Great Australian into the primary focus of the on-farm challenge and we believe this will lead to stronger engagement at a national level.”
The change will enable clubs to better schedule local events throughout the year rather than building up to the Great Southern and Northern challenges that were traditionally judged mid-November.
Winners of the Genetics Australia Great Australian Challenge will be announced at the Jersey Australia annual awards night at Noosa on May 28, 2026. The Challenge is expected to attract 2000-2500 entries from across Australia.
The on-farm challenge is one of the most popular events for Jersey farmers and has been running for about 25 years.
“Everything is done on farm so judges see the cows in their natural working environment,” Mr Barrett said.
“It’s straight out of the paddock and into the competition.”
Mr Barrett said Jersey Australia was pleased to continue and extend its partnership with Genetics Australia. While involved at club level, this is the first time Genetics Australia has sponsored the Great Australian challenge.
Genetics Australia chief executive officer, Anthony Shelly, said the Challenge was a good match for the company.
“Jersey breeders are an important part of our business, especially on the international stage, and this is an opportunity to contribute to an event that recognises some of the best Jersey cows in the Australian breeding program,” Mr Shelly said.
