Simon Reid Achieves Jersey Australia Master Breeder Title
A share farmer from Victoria has received the prestigious Jersey Australia Master Breeder title, a milestone he reached far earlier than anticipated.
Simon Reid, 52, was awarded the honor at the organization's annual general meeting for his Jackiah Jerseys herd. Reid had initially set a goal of achieving the title by retirement but qualified for it sooner than expected.
Career and Background
Reid began his dairy career in the late 1990s as a share farmer and established the Jackiah stud in 1999—naming it after his children. He currently farms with his partner, Belinda Egan, near Warragul, Victoria.
Key Facts:
- 1995: Joined Jersey Australia
- 1999: Established the Jackiah stud
- 2004: Completed a degree in Applied Science – Agriculture from Melbourne University
In addition to his farming duties, Reid works as a Jersey classifier.
Herd Performance & Achievements
Reid's herd averages 6200–6500 litres per cow. His preferred cow is Jackiah Valentino Mimosa 2797 EX92, which won the On Farm Challenge for three to four consecutive years and was named Champion Four-Year-Old in the 2018 Great Southern Challenge.
Key Bulls Used:
- Tbone
- Vanahlem
- Valentino
One notable bull, Jackiah Peak (known as Primrose), has been placed into artificial insemination.
Milestone Numbers
Reid has registered 1,421 cows, including 115 rated as excellent.