Bluechip Genetics is a vital spoke in a seamless Australasian marketing wheel that revolves around Dean and Dianna Malcolm - the owner/operators of Australia’s all breeds website and magazine, www.crazycow.com.au and CrazyCow In Print.

Dean’s graduation as one of Australia’s most talented cattle fitters to cattle photographer, graphic designer, farmer (from June 2006) and cattle judge (in three breeds in several states) has been a steady metamorphosis. Combined with Dianna’s 20-year career in metropolitan journalism (predominately in sports writing) and their families’ respective high profile Holstein herds in Australia and New Zealand gives Bluechip a telling resume.

Bluechip is the current home of the 2006 International Dairy Week (IDW) grand champion Holstein; the 2008 IDW grand champion Illawarra; the 2008 IDW reserve champion Ayrshire; the 2008 IDW reserve junior Holstein champion; the 2008 IDW honourable mention senior champion Jersey and Holstein. Dean was also one of the co-breeders of the 2005 and 2007 IDW grand champion Holstein, Fairvale Jed Bonnie 94 (who is now owned by Leslie Farms). It means Dean had some sort of tie to the grand champion Holstein at IDW for three successive years between 2005 and 2007.

Dean and Dianna Malcolm. Photo: Jackie Bould.

The start of 2006 was the beginning of a significant shift in the tempo of their cattle plans. They bought a 145-acre property, located five minutes from Shepparton (and 20 minutes from IDW's base) and established a 120-cow herd.

It has given their growing group of high-end cattle a permanent home. The barn and ecoshelter that followed their animals into the new property are part of a plan to showcase all breeds of Australasian cattle in addition to fully imported bloodlines within Bluechip's portfolio.

The farm was bought just before the drought set in in 2006. The dry slowed, but did not stop plans and many exciting changes are planned.

Their ambitious agenda is supported by a group of Holstein, Jersey and Illawarra breeders and partnerships that have undoubtedly supported their rapid contribution to the industry. It has also been pivotal in Bluechip being able to assemble arguably one of Australia’s most exciting groups of cattle to be housed on the one property. They include:

• Ross and Leanne Dobson (Fairvale Holsteins)
• Michael Boyd (Bellrock Holsteins)
• Keith and Annette Dorries (Panorama Illawarras)
• Mark and Andrea Mason (Barkly Holsteins)
• John and Andrea Shine (Melville Park Holsteins)
• Terry and Helen Williams (Marion Dale Holsteins)
• Peter and Roberta Ibbott (Buffel Vale Jerseys)

Dean and Dianna are involved in the day-to-day running of the operation together with their herd manager, friend and fellow breeder, Scott Robinson. Scott and his wife, Pip, also operate their own prefix, Eastview Holsteins and Ayrshires, at Bluechip.

New Holstein families now at Bluechip include (direct from Melville Park Holsteins in Western Australia – from June 2006): Jemima (Imp), Jewel (Imp), Roxy (Imp), Sweet (Imp), Marion (Imp), Glow (Imp), Anna (Imp), Clara (Imp), Felicity, Wendy, Whynot, Connie, Dawn, Delight, Butteracres, Pearl, Melody, Graceful, Joyce and Irene.

Established Holstein families include: Bonnie, Josie, Betsyann (Imp), Fran (Imp), Petal, Mantis, Mistress, Carol, Lucky, Tracey. Current cow families being established in Australia from New Zealand include Jed Three and Piana.

Illawarra: Panorama Angeline 8, who was bred by Keith and Annette Dorries, arrived late in 2006 and in her first outing at IDW she won the five-year-old in-milk class and reserve champion Illawarra. At IDW 2008 she was named grand champion and has established herself as one of the highest profile animals in the breed today. Contract interest has been tabled from the US, Canada, New Zealand, Italy and Germany. She was entered into an extensive flush programme in 2008.

The Jersey families include: Tulip, Pride and Vanessa.