Dairy Expo 2016: Coloured Breeds Dazzle Global Judges
An “incredible” showing from the Brown Swiss class got the fifth Borderway Dairy Expo underway, as Carlisle welcomed over 350 entries.
Scottish breeders T Lochhead and sons, Dumfries, led the Brown Swiss sealing the Grand Champion and Reserve title. Champion went to Old Mill Wonderment Sunset. Sired by Top Acres Wonderment out of Old Mill E Snickerdoodle, this senior cow was by embryo transfer from the world famous Snickerdoodle.
Old Mill Wonderment Sunset brought the red ticket home for the Lochheads
The Reserve went to Kedar Rhapsody, an August 2013 born daughter of Kedar TD Reia by Vetsch’s Nesta Calvin.
Judge Michael Heath, Maryland, USA, said the class was exceptional and could have competed nationally across North America. “The winner led a great class and was out of Old Mill E Snickerdoodle, Snickerdoodle being one of the most famous Brown Swiss cows out of America over the last forty years and known worldwide,” he said.
Ayrshire
Beeline Swiss Florence was “beautiful to watch round the ring with a great stride”
Cheshire breeders SN Bailey and Partners claimed the red ticket for Beeline Swiss Florence, Audlem, Cheshire, Born in June 2016, this daughter of Beeline Star Florence calved for the second time on the 29th of January and is giving 40 litres and is by Brierside Lucky Swiss.
The Reserve went to Muir Oblique Ursula W and W Watson, Mauchline, Ayrshire. She is out of Muir Blaze Ursula by Jelyca Oblique.
Judge Jeff Stephen, Ontario, Canada said: “A great pair of young cows. The Champion cow had balance and excels in her fore-udder attachments and is beautiful to watch around the ring with a great stride, its her youthfulness that marks her out.”
British Friesian
Suffolk breeders E S Burroughs and Son claimed British Friesian Champion and Reserve
Both Champion and Reserve Friesian titles went to E S Burroughs and Son from Beccles, Suffolk. Sired by Langley Vienna and out of Oakably Breadwin Sheila 18, Mr Heath described her as a “very outstanding champion cow.”
He added: “She is a beautiful balanced cow with a great mammary system, big wide muscle, wide chest, and a nice square frame.”
Clinching the Reserve rosette was Oakalby Quadrant Sheila 50 ES Burroughs and Son sired by Deangate Quadrant out of Oakalby Rebel Sheila.
Dairy Shorthorn
West Yorkshire breeders IGR Collins and Partners from Dewsbury claimed Champion rosette with Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 39th. This May born three year old is by Churchroyd Pluto and out of Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 35th.
Her first lactation yielded 4.45 per cent butterfat and 3.5 per cent protein over 5294 litres. She is classified VG 85.
Reserve went to October 2013 born Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 46, also from the Collins’ West Yorkshire herd. She returned to the ring after winning first place two year old. She is out of Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 35 and sired by Churchroyd Goldwyn.
Judge Michael Heath said: “We have five cows all very long in frame. The three year old champion is my kind of cow, a beautiful mammary system, full of veins with great length and stretch of frame. I feel she has more width of chest – a little more power through her front end.”
Hailing from West Yorkshire, Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 39th is classes VG 85
Jersey
The Jersey Champion, Bluegrass Vindications Harp, last calved in December
Bluegrass Vindications Harp from Northern Ireland led the Jerseys. Shown by the Fleming family and bred by B and JM Daw of Bluegrass Jerseys, this October 2012 born daughter of Vindication CJCC was out of Bluegrass Barbers Harpist. Bought for £11,000 at the UK Dairy Day sale last September, she calved in December and is now giving 30 litres.
Reserve went to Fourcross Anthony Carroza from Izzy Wright, Peebleshire. Sired by Fourcrosses Holstein Anthony and out of Fourcrosses May Carroza, September 2013 born.
“The Champion was well balanced with a nice tight stomach,” said Judge Mr Stephens. “A little more substance than the cow that made reserve. The reserve had dairy frame, width and height of udder that stood her apart.”
Red and Whites
The Parkend and Lesmay herd claimed the Red and White Grand Champion title
Fife breeders B Weatherup and Partners sealed Champion and best udder in show with Parkend Director Scarlet Red who is by Scientific Director-Red and out of Lesmay Jordan Starlet Red. Classified as VG88, the second calver is giving 50 litres back home in the Weatherup’s milk herd of 180 cows. No stranger to Borderway, Parkend Director Scarlet Red was a champion in 2014 and has been a red ticket winner at UK Dairy Day and Agriscot.
Reserve went to three year old Sterndale Alchemy Noel Red from WJ Nadin and Co, Buxton, Derbyshire. Justifying his decision, Mr Stephen said the Champion was a “shade longer, leaner and tidier, high and wide rump, little more spring in the rib that the cow in second.”