FARMERS from south-west Victoria have been added to the Jersey Australia Master Breeder honour board.

Paul and Lynette Lenehan from Murray Brook Jerseys from Crossley in south-west Victoria, are the new inclusions.

Murray Brook Jerseys was founded in 2000 with Mr Lenehan building on a strong herd started decades earlier by his father Patrick.

Although his son Adam now manages most parts of the farm business, Paul keeps the reins of the breeding program and remains committed and passionate about developing good cows.

He said his breeding goals haven’t changed much over time.

“I’ve always wanted a big-bodied cow with capacity to eat a lot of feed and produce a lot of milk and she had to have a good udder to carry that and to last in the herd for a long time,” Mr Lenehan said.

Murray Brook cows have the Great Southern Challenge and has produced four cows classified as Excellent 93.

“I’ve always been a commercial breeder and this recognition is very much appreciated,” Mr Lenehan said.

Murray Brook has bred one Jersey Elite Bull, 40 Jersey Elite Production Cows and two Jersey Elite Brood Cows.

The Master Breeder awards were introduced last year to recognise breeding excellence over the past 20 years and the commitment of farmers to the breed.

The inaugural Master Breeders announced last year were Wilson family’s Shirlinn Jerseys from Tamworth NSW, Geoff and Natalie Akers’ Loxleigh Jerseys from Tallygaroopna in northern Victoria, Kuhne family’s Bushlea Jerseys from Koonwarra, Gippsland Victoria, Bacon family’s Brookbora Jerseys from Tennyson in northern Victoria, Alan and Janine Carson’s Cairnbrae Jerseys from Colac in Western Victoria, Lynton and Lisa Broad’s Broadlin Jerseys from Wonthaggi, Gippsland, Rob and Kerrie Anderson’s Kings Ville Jerseys from Drouin West, Victoria, Nicholson family’s Jugiong Jerseys from Girgarre, northern Victoria, Luke and Mel Wallace’s Wallacedale Jerseys in Warragul Victoria, Sprunt family’s Kaarmona Jerseys from Kaarimba, northern Victoria.

Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said the Master Breeder award requires breeders to have been a member of Jersey Australia for at least 20 years and to register 25 animals a year on average across those 20 years along with producing elite brood, type and production cows and elite bulls.

The Lenehans join Anne and Geoff Heazelwood from Tasmania who were also listed on the honour board this year.