Mighty Maude wins more applause

His duties as show president kept Jimmy Wilson outside the show ring at this year’s Welsh Dairy Show, but he was there to watch as his son Hefin lead their Dalesend Storm Maude to victory.

And when the score cards went up to reveal the seven-year-old Holstein had been awarded a perfect 60 points there was loud applause.

Earlier, Holstein section judge Beattie Liburn from Ulster eulogised about the quality of the cow that has produced almost 80t of milk and a cabinet full of silverware.

“Her udder is still perfect and she still displays all the style she had when I last saw her two years ago.”

After another all-conquering season, including the Royal Welsh Show and Dairy Event, Maude will be rested before a possible appearance at the National Holstein Show next spring.

The plan is then to flush her for embryos.

This would keep her out of competitions next summer, which would be a relief to other exhibitors.

Earlier in the day, Arwyn Wilson helped to make his family’s day by winning the interbreed heifer championship with their Jersey heifer in milk Bluegrass Jazzman Pams Panama, which also stood as reserve breed champion.

The top Jersey spot went to Freeland Jude Candy from the Erie herd run by the Morgan family at Nantybwla, Carmarthen.

Growing Brown Swiss classes were led by five-year-old Quarry Lucifer Claret, bred and exhibited by Alun and Carolyn Davies.

bobdavies@agrinews.fsnet.co.uk