Dairy

Goodbye to Sunshine Farms

By Geoff Adams

Nov 22, 2024

Janelle McDonald sees off the last few heifers from Sunshine Farms.

Janelle McDonald has farewelled the last few of the Jerseys that formed the Sunshine Farms Jersey stud developed by her and her late husband, Neville.

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Mrs McDonald has sold the Kyabram farm and on November 15 she sold the last 22 unjoined heifers, some of which she knew by name, at Shepparton Regional Saleyards.

She was impressed by the prices that purchasers paid for the yearlings and was reassured they were going to properties that valued the bloodlines.

One of the buyers was Katamatite teenager Sienna Ross, who is developing her own herd.

This yearling heifer from Sunshine Farms sold for $1600.

Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said a number of buyers had purchased daughters of the adult stock they’d bought at the main sale earlier this year.

“We had a Queensland buyer on the phone, who also purchased quite a few heifers. It is easier for them to get the young heifers acclimatised,” Mr Leslie said.

They sold to a top of $1900, with an average of $1122.

Buyers were from all parts of Victoria along with several from NSW and Queensland.

The main herd sold at auction in February, with the top price of $10,500 achieved.