A MILAWA farmer has been added to the Jersey Australia Master Breeder honour board. Darryn Hourigan’s Darrynvale Jerseys from Milawa was this month announced as one of Jersey Australia’s two new Master Breeders. The Master Breeder awards were introduced in 2023 to recognise breeding excellence over the past 20 years and the commitment of farmers to the breed. The award requires breeders to have been a member of Jersey Australia for at least 20 years, to register an average of 25 animals a year and produce elite brood, type and production cows and elite bulls. Jersey Australia board member and chair of promotions, Jane Sykes, said the greatness of a Master Breeder does not happen overnight; it takes time and patience. Darrynvale Jerseys was established in 1970 and is owned and operated by Darryn Hourigan and his partner Rachelle. Darryn’s son Bailey and daughter Ellie are also involved in running the farm. It has registered 2888 cows and has had 351 classified as 'excellent'. Darrynvale is a platinum production herd and regularly achieves more than 7000 litres average, with some cows producing up to 11,000 litres. In the early 1980s, Darryn’s father Keith invested in Big Hollow and Merriland genetics in New Zealand, including the world-renowned Daisy family which has had an enormous influence in the herd. Darryn continues to breed award-winning cows with deep pedigrees.
