Seeing your name in gold print on an honour roll is something special, but something not many of us achieve. For Greg and Kris Goulding from Johville Park Aussie Reds at Leitchville, it’s their outstanding genetics that have helped them reach that status. 

The Gouldings were inducted to the Genetics Australia Breeder Honour Roll with 10 other breeders at the Genetics Australia 2024 Gala Dinner in Geelong on March 18, recognising the outstanding contribution to Genetics Australia and the Australian dairy industry through the provision of elite genetics. 

Greg and Kris, who have been breeding Aussie Reds for over 20 years and milk up to 650 cows on their 2,500-acre Leitchville farm, have put a lot of bulls through Genetics Australia, some gaining top bull status, and currently have the number one red bull in Australia.  

“It’s nice to be honoured; a lot of hard work went into it,” said Greg, attributing the award to all the people they have worked with on the farm, as well as his father, uncle and grandfather, who bred jerseys then Holsteins on the property before Greg and Kris took over. 

“It’s saying we’re doing the right thing breed-wise and breeding good cattle,” he said.

Greg thanks Genetics Australia for supporting the red breeds since the breed was introduced to Australia in the 1980s. “We’d like to thank Genetics Australia for what they’ve done. They’ve done a great deal, especially for the red breeds,” he said. 

The Gouldings join previously honoured local breeders, the Dees of Clydevale Holsteins at Macorna, and the Hores of Elmar Holsteins at Leitchville, along with other Australian and overseas breeders whose bulls have made a significant contribution to genetic improvement in Australia.

“There’s a lot of great breeders from across Australia, so it’s a real honour to be put on that board.”

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 11 April 2024.