IDW Youth Challenge Event

International Dairy Week is held in Tatura, near Shepparton in Victoria, Australia.

It is considered Australia’s premier dairy show – with a large number of entries from around Australia, international judges and fantastic facilities. Breeds exhibited are Jersey, Holstein (Black & White and Red), Ayrshire, Illawarra, Guernsey and Brown Swiss.

The Youth Challenge is held on Sunday 19 January prior to the start of IDW and is hotly contested amongst breed and state teams. JerseyNZ has been represented in 2018, 2019 (when we won), 2020 (second) and 2023 (mid field). There are usually 12-14 other teams in the competition.

JerseyNZ will again support the organisation of a team for 2025, co-ordinated by Julie Pirie.

For the first time in 2025, there is a direct clash with NZ Dairy Event in Feilding (20 to 22 January). This means that if you are successful in making the IDW Youth Challenge Team, you will not be able to attend NZ Dairy Event.

The package cost including spending money is likely to be over $2000, so applications are open early to assist individuals to fundraise, and for organisers to seek sponsorship.

All team members must travel together with the team departing from Auckland, and join in with group activities throughout the week. A group booking has been made with AirNZ. Once the team is selected, AirNZ can assist with linking domestic flights. JerseyNZ can assist with organising overnight accommodation where required.

The team will include three adults/parent helpers to accompany the team/drive/organise food/supervise at pool etc.

Youth Challenge Criteria
Each team consists of a total of 10 members – with no more than three members over the age of 18 and under 22 as of January 15, 2025; three members under the age of 15 as of January 15, 2025; and four other members under 18.
• Four team members will clip a yearling – Holstein (competition sponsors) – time limit 30 minutes.
• Three team members will parade an animal (three animals will be borrowed from exhibitors)
• Three team members will participate in judging (one to speak, the others help judge)
Practices will be held for all three teams – this will be arranged once the team is finalised.

Travel Itinerary
• Travel to Australia Friday 17 January 2025 – NZ121 Departing 08:50
• Travel back to NZ Thursday 23 January 2025 – NZ 126 Departing 18:55
All arrangements are subject to change once the IDW schedule is confirmed

Friday 17 January
6.50am – NZ Meet at Auckland International airport.
10.45am – Aus Arrive Melbourne Airport, pick up two 8-seater vans.
1pm – 4.30 pm – Visit Sovereign Hill, Ballarat.
– Dinner on way to Shepparton
8pm – Arrive Shepparton – Quest Apartments – 2 x 3-bedroom 1x 2-bedroom apartments.

Saturday 18 January Visit IDW – events for youth
Practice for parading team, others look after clipping heifer (wash, feed etc)
Evening food truck and market

Sunday 19 January Youth Challenge Day
Possible trip to Echuca in afternoon

Monday 20 January
Youth Show / Red & White Holstein Show / Illawarra Show

Tuesday 21 January
Ayrshire Show / Guernsey Show / Brown Swiss Show / Jersey Heifer Show

Wednesday 22 January
Jersey In-milk show / Interbreed Junior Champion

Thursday 23 January
Holstein Show / Interbreed Intermediate Champion / Interbreed Senior Champion / Supreme Champion Drive to Melbourne Airport to return home

Friday 24 January
Travel home for those on connecting flights

Applications for January 2025 have now closed. Please keep an eye out for 2026 entries

For any further information please contact Julie Pirie 027 6082171 or julie@piriefarms.co.nz