Entrants determined to make it ashop window
Entrants determined to make it ashop window
By Jeremy Hunt
DESPITE the malaise in the milk sector, Cheshires farmers were determined to use its county show as a shop window for the industry and produced a commendable parade of dairy stock at the two-day event at Knutsford.
The new milk ad posters – The White Stuff – were in the car parks and a prominent showground location for the livestock rings kept farming in the forefront of the publics minds.
Probably the most well-earned victory was achieved by the Patrick family of Tyldesley, near Manchester, who took their first Cheshire Show Ayrshire title after supporting the event for 20 years.
Their third calver Garrett Hall Priscilla 218 is by Brocklehill Champagne and has two Canadian Ayrshire lines in her pedigree. Judge William Whiteford of Cumbria, whose Middle herd has taken many top awards at this show, described her as a truly functional dairy cow for modern times. Priscilla 218 also stood reserve exhibitor-bred dairy champion.
A formidable array of Holsteins was led by Shropshire breeder Colin Cornes Norwood Charles Missy, a stylish heifer in-milk that became supreme dairy champion and collected the £800 prizemoney.
Taking £250 for the reserve supreme ticket was C W and G E Hallidays Whitton Dreamers Coriolanus, a second calver from their herd of 250 Jersey milkers at Shrewsbury.
Long-standing classes of Brown Swiss continue to create interest, although devotees urged more milk producers to give them a try. The top winners, decorated with their traditional flower garlands, were full sisters and once again came from the successful herd Sujenca herd of Cheshire breeder John Ball. Seasoned showmen recognise that it is harder to win an interbreed title under a judge who is involved in their own breed, but leading Simmental breeder Bob Lunness could find nothing to beat the Simmental heifer Atlow Valentine for the supreme beef ticket.
Owner David Donnelly from Derbyshire was elated: "This is her first season in the ring and shes getting better every time we bring her out." The reserve beef title went to Tom Owens Charolais heifer Bold Okra.
Macclesfield sheep breeder Geoff Biddulph has dominated the Suffolk ring here for many years and took his breed champion all the way to stand supreme. The shearling ewe is by Parkgate Plutonium – a bargain basement ram bought at Edinburgh for 1700gns.
RESULTS
BEEF
Interbreed D Donnellys Simmental heifer Atlow Valentine; res, T Owen and Sons Charolais heifer Bold Okra.
Hereford Nicholas and Heaths bull Bosa 1 Punch; res, Mr and Mrs R and A Shaws heifer Hallwood 1 Empress 3rd.
Limousin M J Smiths cow Jencralodge Jodie; res, Walter Smith Farms Ltds cow Roughley Melody.
Simmental D Donnellys heifer Atlow Valentine; res, M Barlows cow Denzies Heather Honey.
Charolais T Owen and Sons heifer Bold Okra; res, M Dones heifer Tattenhall Ombelle.
Belgian Blue J Barber and G Brindleys bull Bringlee Paddy; res, A J and D A Wilkinsons heifer Springfield Pepsi.
Highland D Haightons heifer Lady Lillian 12 of Ellerdine res, E T R Halfords heifer Kate of Kipper Lynn.
Aberdeen Angus J Sutcliffes bull Coal Yeat Boyo; res, J Sutcliffes bull William of Coal Yeat.
Blonde DAquitaine J M Richardsons cow Warmingham Jean; res, C Hopleys bull Mosscroft Phantom.
Any other beef breed A Plumbleys Welsh Black heifer Calveley Emma; res, HM Prison, Wymotts Beef Shorthorn in-calf heifer Craigowmill Catriona.
DAIRY
Interbreed C Cornes Holstein heifer in-milk Norwood Charles Missy; res, C W and G E Hallidays Jersey cow in-milk Whitton Dreamers Coriolanus.
Dairy Shorthorn G P Norburys heifer in-milk Wreay Poppy Barrington 15; res, W A and C A Weavers cow in-milk Amber Whitesocks Polly 19.
Ayrshire J and M Patricks cow in-milk Priscilla 218; res, Mr and Mrs M Barnetts heifer in-milk Twemlow Lady Shamrock.
Holstein C Cornes heifer in-milk Norwood Charles Missy; res, Bromstead Hill Farms cow in-milk Wikside Tab Pearl.
Jersey C W and G E Hallidays cow in-milk Whitton Dreamers Coriolanus; res, G F and M L Wallaces heifer in-milk Grahmar Judes Rosalie.
Guernsey R J Posnett and J A Hopes cow in-milk Tiresford Carmen 2; res, Leverhulme Farms heifer in-milk Thornton Disney 11.
Dexter * and C Bickertons cow in-milk Leese Emma; res, Mr and Mrs R U Walkers cow in-milk Glenthorne Primrose.
Brown Swiss J Balls cow in-milk Sujenca Distinct êclair; res, J Balls heifer in-milk Sujenca Distinct êclair 2.
SHEEP
Interbreed G Biddulphs Suffolk shearling ewe; res, Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbots Charollais shearling ram.
Charollais The Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbots shearling ram; res, J P Davies shearling ewe.
Jacob R E Blacknells senior ram.
Suffolk G Biddulphs shearling ewe; res, R Fords ram lamb.
Texel F Griffies shearling ram; res, F Griffies shearling ewe. *
After 20 years showing at the Cheshire, success at last for the Patrick Family of Tydlesley. Their Ayrshire champion also took reserve spot in the exhibitor-bred dairy championship.
David Donnellys supreme champ heifer Atlow Valentine. She just keeps on improving, says Mr Donnelly.