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Cow photography

Bluechip Shottle Whynot (Photo: Dean Malcolm)

Dairy farming is no longer just about the productivity of the cows, if you ask Dean Malcolm. It’s also about the way you present the bovines for sale.

Photography is becoming a bigger part of the dairy industry as farmers look to enhance the cows’ value on the market. A good photograph can mean a difference of $10,000, says Dean, who has made a living from photographing dairy cows.

To achieve the best photographs, cows are primped and preened, much like dogs at a pedigree dog show. Tricks of the trade include concealer paint for leg stains, wax and lots of grooming. Well-photographed cows can fetch around $30,000.

See the gallery here.

Read more about Dean Malcolm in the latest issue of Australian Geographic.

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