| 9 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Charbelle Holsteins Anne Boswell Winning the 2026 Valden Cow of the Year title is the latest accolade in an already glittering career for Charbelle Tatoo Pix EX95 E2, but for her owners, the award represents something more significant than another championship ribbon. Owned by Sherborne Farms – Stephen and Annabelle Scherer, and Dyanne and Wayne Osborne – the 2019-born cow was selected from six finalists to receive Holstein Friesian NZ’s prestigious award, recognising her long-term contribution to the breed and lasting influence through both performance and pedigree. Annabelle said the honour came as a complete surprise. “We just couldn’t believe it,” she says. “We were in total shock. Of all the accolades Pix has won, this one is really, really special. It means a lot.” Behind Pix’s success is a farming operation built on strong genetics, careful management and a shared passion for breeding quality cattle. Stephen and Annabelle are in their third season 50/50 sharemilking just over 400 cows on 180 hectares at Tahuna for the Matijasevich family, after consolidating two Gordonton sharemilking positions. Their herd comprises 300 registered Holstein Friesians, 70 Jerseys and 50 crossbreds, milked through a 40-aside herringbone shed. Stephen manages the farm full-time alongside two full-time staff members, including son Charlie, while Annabelle balances helping on farm with her role as a World Wide Sires consultant for North Waikato and Thames Valley, a position she has held since 2019. She also serves as vice-president of the Holstein Friesian NZ Board. Pix’s show ring achievements have made her one of the most decorated Holstein Friesians in the country. She was All Breeds Junior Champion at the 2020 Stratford A&P Show before claiming All Breeds Junior Champion and Holstein Junior Champion at Bigger than another championship ribbon the 2021 New Zealand Dairy Event (NZDE). Her success continued with Supreme Intermediate Champion and Best Intermediate Udder at NZDE in 2022; 2022 HFNZ-Semex On-Farm Competition Champion 2-year-old; and Champion All NZ Junior Cow in the 2022 HFNZ DeLaval All NZ Photo Competition, followed by Champion All NZ Senior Cow in 2026. She was crowned Supreme Holstein North Island Champion in 2022, 2023 and 2025; Supreme Champion at the Stratford A&P Show in 2023 and 2024; the coveted Beledene Premier Dairy Cow title at Stratford in 2024; and Supreme Holstein Friesian at the 2024 and 2025 Waikato A&P Shows. Pix also won her regional class in the HFNZ-Semex On-Farm Competition for four consecutive years and finished in the national top three for three years running. But Pix is not a one-trick pony: her production last season was her best to date, at 14,205 litres of milk (539kg fat, 445kg protein) in 297 days. Charbelle Stud was established over 40 years ago by Annabelle’s parents, Dyanne and Wayne Osborne, and since then has developed several influential cow families - but none more prominent than Pix’s family, the ‘P’ family. It began with Charbelle MWB Prancer S3F EX2 – Pix’s dam - whose success in the show ring reignited the family’s enthusiasm for exhibiting cattle. More recently Pix’s daughter, Charbelle Hero Popcorn S3F, was named 2025 NZDE Junior Interbreed Reserve Champion and Junior Champion Holstein, and North Island Junior Champion, exhibited by Annabelle and Stephen’s daughter, Gabrielle. Another Pix daughter, Charbelle Hero PeeJay, was North Island Junior Champion, Champion Junior Holstein and Reserve All Breeds Junior Champion at the Waikato Show 2025. And Charbelle Tatoo Promise, Pix’s full sister, won the Holstein Junior Calf class at the 2025 NZDE and progressed through to the Junior Champion lineup, gaining second place in the 2026 Junior Holstein Heifer competition. Check out our range of hoof blocks & other accessories New hoof-crush available soon For our full range, visit us online at www.hoofit.nz. All online prices are GST & freight incluisive! Got questions? Call Stuart on 021 278 8278 or enquire online at www.hoofit.nz or info@hoofit.nz HOOF CARE PRODUCTS brad@jackos.co.nz WE ARE A CHARTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM WHODOESN’T JUST TICK BOXES, WE LOOK OUTSIDE THEM. ENABLING BETTER BUSINESS 0800 888 055 diprosemiller.co.nz Proudly supporting Charbelle Holsteins Diane Alsemgeest 027 304 3398 diane@gcmfeeds.co.nz Charbelle Tatoo Pix EX95 E2. Photo Bradley Cullen.
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