Livestock 2015: Brown Swiss scoops dairy title at National Show

The St Andrew’s flag was flying high at last week’s National Dairy Show – part of the Livestock Event (8-9 July).

Dairy, beef and sheep graced the showing rings in front of a packed audience. 

Here’s the lowdown on the breeds that took home the rosettes.

See also: Read all our coverage of the event on our Livestock Event 2015 hub page  

Show stoppers – dairy classes

Brown Swiss

Reserve Brown Swiss ticket went to T Lochhead and Sons, Dumfries’ second calver Old Mill Wonderment Sunset.

This freshly calved animal was bought as a two-month-old calf from Switzerland and is the first time it has been shown.

Ayrshire

It was another Hunnington Mandella sired cow that scooped the reserve Ayrshire champion this time for direct milk sellers Chris and Lisa Window, Bromsgrove, West Midlands.

This home-bred second calver Hunnington Fragy 16 added to a string of wins achieved over the past year.

She is classified VG89 as a heifer last year and her dam has five generations of Ex cows behind her.

Guernsey

Few breed champions needed a title more than the Guernsey, Briddlesford Laredos Bluebell, from Isle of Wight breeder EG Griffin & Son and exhibited by mainland-based Digby Gribble.

“I saw this heifer over there 12 months ago and convinced the Griffins to bring her here,” explained Mr Gribble.

“But as they have no TB on the island she’s on a one-way ticket and is up for sale at £3,000.”

Bluebell is sired by Oak Knob Maxie Laredo, classified VG89 at four years old, and achieved 7,733 litres at 5.41% butterfat and 3.55% protein in her last lactation.

Her maternal brother’s semen is awaiting export to Canada – a first for the breed.

Into the reserve champion spot went Richard Norman’s Pine Ridge Double L-sired heifer in-milk, Bourton Fiona 13.

Holstein

Holstein judge David Booth of the 130-cow Shawdale Herd opted for the mature Blythbridge Goldwyn Rosalee ET exhibited by Colin Laird as his champion.

“That much power, agility and strength gives her advantage over a beautiful red heifer in reserve,” Mr Booth told the ringside crowd.

Rosalee is by Braedale Goldwyn, classified EX93 as a four year old and is back in calf to Doorman by AI.

In reserve was the stylish November 2012-born Dovetrent Royce Blossom Red from Staffordshire-based Ken and Ann Holdcroft and Sons. By Sterndale Rose Royce Red, she was 118 days into her first lactation and giving 38kg daily.

Friesian

The British Friesian championship went to expanding East Anglia mixed farmer ES Burroughs and Son for the homebred, June 2010-born cow Oakalby Rebel Cherry 115.

She calved in May with her second and was by Oakalby Rebel and out of Oakalby Conrad Cherry 66.

In reserve was RS and WA Howarth, Pickering, with the cow in-milk Raby Jasmine 59. She is a Blackisle Garue daughter and out of Baby Jasmine 52.

Jersey

In the Jersey classes judge James Strachan settled on the Wright family’s heifer in-milk, Fourcrosses Tequila Black Rose by Prime Tequila and out of Fourcrosses Bigtime Primrose VG86.

Now back in calf to the young bull Van Halan (by AI), Rose had given 2,697 litres in her first 139 days in milk at 4.57% butterfat and 3.94% protein.

The breed’s reserve ticket went to Ifan and Jimmy Wilson, Cardigan, with their senior cow Bluegrass Excitation Prissy Polly – the Breed Society’s three times All Britain Winner.

Show stoppers – beef classes

Charolais champion – Andrew and Beth White, Swanage, Dorset’s January 2013-born heifer Balbithan Iona by Chunal Dougie.

Reserve Charolais champion – Will and Theresa Owen, Gwynedd with their young bull Deunawd Jeff by the £15,000 Allanfauld Chieftain.

South Devon performance champion – Oliver Brewin’s June 2013-born bull North View Claudius by Welland Valley Crusader took the top title (above). Taking reserve was sweet Al Grove Bellerophon 3-sired February 2014-born heifer AI Kestle Dahila 73 from RK Rundle, Cornwall.

Aberdeen Angus junior champion – The 2013-born Netherton Big Edition-sired female Netherton Evita from W and D McLaren and Highland Wagyu (above). Donald Rankin’s April 2014-born female Retties Lady Ruth by Rawburn Elysium took the reserve champion title.

Show stoppers – sheep classes

Lleyn champion – A pen of five registered shearlings from Dewi Ellis, north Wales.