Kalaso Drone Koala won Best Udder in her class (Junior Two-Year in Milk) and Intermediate Champion before taking the trifecta in the final.
Team leader Katlyn Joyce managed the team’s nine cows brought from the family’s 61-hectare property and was pleased with the three wins at this year’s event.
Ms Joyce said the family’s goal was to emulate the success of Florando SD Koala 7, who won Grand Champion at IDW from 2012 to 2015.
“So that’s obviously always the aim — to win Grand Champion Guernsey,” she said.
“We have our own bulls so hopefully people will start to use them as AI.
“We want to get more bulls into the AI and produce more champions later on.”
Vanessa Young travelled from Kiama in NSW to work with the Joyces this year and said the family’s success was also shared among the Guernsey community thanks to Florando SD Koala 7.
“Koala was bred many years ago by the Joyces and was very successful,” Ms Young said.
“There were a number of successful Koalas with our competitors out in the ring today.
“We do have skin in everyone’s game.”
Mahalia Moore travelled from the NSW central coast to help the Joyce family.
“I am from Konilra on our own little farm, and I am normally at the Sydney Royal but decided to come down and help today,” Ms Moore said.
Ms Young said attendance at IDW often made for 20-hour days but enjoyed the company of their expanded team of three families coming together each year.
“We have made our own show family, and it’s nice to see each other’s faces,” she said.
“It’s like a family. And just like family, once a year is enough.”
Ms Young said she wished the success of a dam was rewarded as much as sires were.
“If there was such thing as a dam equivalent to the Premier Sires award, Koala would (have been) a shoo-in.
“If there was a dam’s award, she would have it in the bag.
“But they only care about the sperm!”
Team fitter Kian Seve said preparation of cows began a long time before any event.
“It starts before you come here,” Mr Seve said.
“It’s been pretty much a year-long preparation, working with them every day, especially this week spending most of the time with them washing and clipping and it takes a fair bit to get them ready for show week.
“We are always looking to get the next champion.”
6°C