TWO SA dairyfarmers were honoured for their contributions to industry at the Holstein Australia national awards dinner in Hahndorf last week.
Sonya and Andrew Jensen, Kentish Downs Holsteins, Parawa, and Grant Liebelt, Grantley Holsteins, Paris Creek, received master breeder status.
The award recognises the long-term achievements of individuals who have bred at least 300 registered animals during a minimum 20 years.
Mr Liebelt has bred 369 animals to be eligible, with 18 production awards and nine lifetime production awards. Of those, five were classified excellent and 81 very good.
He was pleased to get the award as he had been in the industry for a long-time.
"I got the courage to apply and it happened, and I'm amazed," Mr Liebelt said.
He thanked his family for the support they provided and said he enjoyed his time as a Holstein breeder.
"If I had my time again, I'd do it again," Mr Liebelt said.
The Jensens milk 700 Holstein cows and for eligibility had bred 4244 cows, with a high percentage of star group cows. This is the stud's second master breeder award.
Other master breeder titles were awarded to Elmar Holsteins, Vic, Dilee Holsteins, Vic, Gararely Holsteins, Tas, Blaweary Holsteins, WA, Rengaw Holsteins, Tas, and Lynstar Holsteins, Qld.
The awards night was held as part of the Holstein Australia annual general meeting, hosted by the SA branch this year.
The Liebelts picked up another accolade at the event - Mr Liebelt's daughter Bridget won best overall prize for the Holstein Youth Project Photo Competition.
The occasion also awarded cow of the year, to Somerelle Leader Lassco Ex-91-3E, bred and owned by Somerelle Holsteins, Vic.
This competition recognises all-round excellence in production, classification, breeding and overall contribution to the Australian Holstein breed.
Owner Scott Sommerelle said the 18-year-old cow was the best he had bred, with the possible exception of her daughter.
"She's everything I want in a cow," he said.
Several SA cows were also awarded diamond status, which requires production of 110,000 litres of milk, 4180 kilograms of fat and 3500kg of protein.
These were Blackwood Park MS Lois VG85, owned by JC Altman & Son, Toora, Kentish Downs Keystone Susan VG85, Kentish Downs, Parawa, and Edenburg Blackstar Marlene-ET Ex-92-4E, owned by Virginia Ewing, Kalangadoo.
The night also hosted the Holstein Australia/Semex All-Australian Photographic Competition where the two-year-old, in-milk class was dominated by SA representatives.
Ben and Angela Tweddle, Benlargo Holsteins, Glencoe, followed up their Royal Adelaide Show success with a win for Benlargo Atwood Aura VG85, while reserve went to Edge Aftershock Sonya VG85, owned by Stephen Treloar, Edge Holsteins.
Following the dinner the association held an auction to raise money to send two members of Holstein Youth to Argentina for the World Holstein Friesian Federation Conference in March 2016.
The recipients of the scholarships were also announced, with Jade Lee, South Riana, Tas, and Justin Johnson, Glomar Holsteins, Bandalaguah, Vic, to represent the breed.