UK Dairy Day: Coloured breed champions
Senior cows in milk have swept the championship board of all coloured breeds at this years UK Dairy Day, Telford, Shropshire.
Dairy Shorthorn
First into the ring to take the top spot was six year old Dairy Shorthorn, Churchroyd Heather 50. Owned by IRG Collins and Partners, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, she scored Ex 94 last week. Calving her fourth six weeks ago, she was shown giving 44 litres a day at 4.76% butterfat and 3.1% protein. Sired by Churchroyd Victor Ex 96 and out of Churchroyd Heather 29th Ex 96, this is her first major show.
Churchroyd Heather 50
Judge John Suffern said he tapped out the champion because of how clean and dairy she was. “She had the best attached udder, particularly at the front compared to the reserve.”
In reserve was last year’s champion, another six year old senior, Irthingvale Watzon Tulip Ex 92. Owned by G and B Bell, Taporely, Cheshire, this fourth calver was sired by Drisgol Watzon Ex 90 and out of Irthingvale Rebel Tulip.
“The reserve tracked better and stood better on it’s pasterns than the honourable mention,” said Mr Suffern.
Brown Swiss
Next in the ring to collect the silverware was another fourth calver, Soulseat Jublend Beatrice Ex 94 from Robert and Sheila McColm, Stranraer, Wigtownshire. Their mature cow is no stranger to the top spot, winning the interbreed championship at the Livestock Event, Birmingham this year and breed champion there for the last three years. She was shown giving 38 litres a day at 5.7% butterfat and 3.77% protein. Sired by Jublend, she has been classified with the maximum score for every lactation.
Soulseat Jublend Beatrice
Judge Mark Logan said his champion had tremendous dairy quality. “She had a great frame and excellent mammary system with nice bone quality.”
Reserve breed champion was four year old junior cow Elite WR Lovely VG 89. Owned by Mark and Sian Williams, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, she calved her second in April and was shown giving 60 litres a day. Breed champion and reserve interbreed at the Royal Welsh Show this year, she is sired by Webster Ridge and out of Quarry Luke Lovely.
Ayrshire
Eight year old Barr Sandyrose 56th claimed top honours in the Ayrshire line up. Owned by D M Lindsay, Lanark, Lanarkshire, she had her sixth calf on 26 May and was shown giving 43 litres a day at 4.5% butterfat and 3.5% protein. Sired by Barr Aviator and out of Barr Sandyrose 15th she also won her class at the Livestock Event this year.
Barr Sandyrose 56th
Judge John Suffern said having had six calves, his champion was full of power, rib and body. “Her high and wide udder attachment and overall power gave her the advantage over the junior.”
In reserve was four year old second calver, Park Head Joybell HB VG 89. Another good result for IRG Collins and Partners, she was shown giving 42 litres a day at 4.3% butterfat and 3.2% protein. She was sired by Harefoot Blaze and out of Park Head Joybell 3.
Jersey
Claiming top honours in the Jersey ring was five year old fourth calver, Erie Baywatch Grove. Owned by EM and E and IR Morgan Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, she has seven generations of VG / EX from the Grove family. Sired by Erie Baywatch and out of Erie Comerica Grove Ex 92, she was shown giving 41kg a day at 7% butterfat and 3.5% protein.
Erie Baywatch Grove
Judge Mark Logan said his winning cow had a tremendous combination or dairyness and strength. “She had a great deal of style in the ring with an outstanding udder. She moved well, with great legs and feet.”
Jersey reserve went to Bluegrass Excitations Prissy Polly Ex 93 from WJP Wilson, Cardigan, Dyfed. This fourth calver was shown giving 30kg a day at 6.11% butterfat and 3.71% protein. Champion at the Royal Welsh and reserve champion at the Livestock Event this year, she has a bull calf Tregibby Yegabomb at Cogent.