Learn how Rockwood Park Atley Cretonne achieved supreme champion status at the Victorian Winter Fair. Amid personal and professional challenges for her owners.
The Victorian Winter Fair, Australia’s premier showcase of the season, saw its pinnacle in Rockwood Park Atley Cretonne. This five-year-old cow, making her debut, seized the supreme champion title, signifying not only her distinguished pedigree but also the resilience of her owners, Matt and Nicola Templeton, amid personal and professional challenges.
Rockwood Park Atley Cretonne, descended from the renowned Felicity, was classified at 92 and acquired by the Templetons in 2020. Judges Lachlan Fry and Courtney Afford praised her for her exceptional balance and features. “She’s a cow that just puts it all together for us today,” noted Judge Fry, highlighting her balance, depth of rib, and impressive mammary system. Afford echoed, emphasizing her superb balance and standout attributes.
This debut was a strategic move by the Templetons, patiently waiting for the right moment. “We’ve just been waiting for the right time,” Mr. Templeton explained. Their foresight and deliberate approach culminated in a significant success, showcasing their deep industry understanding and planning.
Looking ahead, the Templetons aim for International Dairy Week (IDW). “I want to keep her going and take her to IDW,” Mr. Templeton shared, confident the best is yet to come. This strategy underscores their commitment to her pedigree and enhances their standing in the elite dairy cattle circuit, highlighting their passion for dairy farming.
Beyond the supreme champion win, View Fort also triumphed at the Victorian Winter Fair with the Red and White Holstein Intermediate Championship and honorable mention in the Supreme Intermediate Championship, showcasing their dedication to breeding and presenting exceptional Holsteins.
Matt and Nicola Templeton’s journey to triumph at the Victorian Winter Fair has been arduous. Mr. Templeton’s significant health battle tested their resolve, yet their passion for farming and dedication to their herd remained unshaken. This year’s move to a new farm further challenged their resilience, requiring meticulous planning and immense physical effort. Despite these daunting circumstances, their commitment never wavered.
“We’ve got to stay positive, and the reason we get up and milk every day is our cows. We love farming, but we love our cows even more,” Mr. Templeton said, highlighting their devotion to their animals and the farming lifestyle.
Nicola Templeton emphasized the crucial support from the dairy community, which enabled their participation in the show. This collective spirit showcases the supportive nature of the dairy industry, making it more than just a business but a community. The Templetons’ journey, marked by resilience and communal solidarity, culminated in a triumphant showing that underscored their dedication and the community’s collaborative spirit.
Looking ahead, the Templetons plan to leverage their show success to boost livestock sales at their new farm in Dixie. Their efforts will culminate in the Victories of View Fort sale on November 8, 2024, featuring 70 head of cattle, mainly Holsteins and a few Jerseys. The sale will highlight milking cows, in-calf heifers, yearlings, and calves, including daughters of IDW supreme champions Jacobonia and Dottie, and a daughter of Rockwood Park Atley Cretonne, the recent Bendigo champion. This event marks a pivotal moment in their business growth, underscoring their commitment to excellence and advancing dairy farming standards.
Winwood Tatoo Lights Out, exhibited by Mal Nikora and Kelly Bleijendaal, claimed the supreme senior udder award. Meanwhile, Carisma Samite Piper, exhibited by M & J Deenen from Leongatha, Vic, took the title of reserve senior champion.
