Rio takes a high five
Rio takes a high five
By Jessica Buss
THERE was plenty for the public to see at the Royal Norfolk Show this year and they supported it well with a turnout of about 90,000 visitors.
Having cancelled the show last year, due to foot-and-mouth, the cattle and sheep sheds proved popular among visitors, despite the short queue for the disinfectant matting at the shed entrance. Although livestock were kept out of the Grand Ring, it had a full schedule and the commentary certainly had the crowd behind the many demonstrations.
Celebration in the cattle shed was also justifiable for Smith of Bloxhams farm manager, John Wilson, from Banbury, Oxon, who took home 10 championship tickets.
The tickets included those for the Limousin champion bull Crownhead Rio, who became supreme beef champion when judged by Donald Biggar, who farms at Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway.
Mr Biggar also placed the Smiths of Bloxhams winning bull and cow, Crowhill Orranoe, as the winning interbreed pair. Both these animals also represented the breed, together with Lincs-based breeder I Browns bull Lowgate Spartacus, in the winning group of three animals.
"Rio was bred by Jean Burnell. We bought him as a calf at foot because he looked so good," says Mr Wilson. He has been used on some heifers in the farms Limousin herd and progeny are expected shortly.
The supreme dairy championship was won by the local Wright family from Thetford, Norfolk. Their homebred Holstein third calver, Pinebreck Jolt Katherine, had proven to be a good milker, as well as a top show cow. In her second lactation, she yielded 11084kg at 4.55% fat and 3.36% protein in 305 days. At the show she gave 55 litres a day.
In the sheep ring, the Barbers Charollais shearling ewe was placed ahead of the Prentices Texel ram. But the Prentices received some consolation when they took the award for the interbreed group of three.
RESULTS
BEEF CATTLE
Supreme Smiths of Bloxhams British Limousin bull Crownhead Rio; res, Aberdeen Angus B W Carters cow Heathlands Polly W5.
Aberdeen-Angus B W Carters cow Heathlands Polly W5; res, I * McLaren and Sons bull Skiall Desmond.
Belgian Blue M Reads heifer Ulrieke et van Terbeck; res, his bull calf Toga van Daisel.
British Charolais Goodwin Farms heifer Bastwick Sunbeam; res, their heifer Bastwick Roulette.
British Limousin Smiths of Bloxhams bull Crownhead Rio; res, J F Allisons cow Thornage Norma.
British Simmental B J Wyands cow Twyford Frostie; res, his bull Kerdiston Max.
British White F W Cook and Sons bull Albany Plato; res, Delamore Farms cow Leverington Gentian.
Lincoln Red M Reads female Hemingby Treasure V15; res, his heifer Hemingby Connie D62.
South Devon J Fishs bull Grove Cornelius 30; res, his cow Haddenham Popy 32.
Any other beef N J & A M Barretts Beef Shorthorn bull Uppermill Beggar; res, D Wildensteins Murray Grey bull Blue Grit.
Commercial beef P & S Rowlands Belgian Blue cross Simmental heifer Molly; res, G & * Blythes Limousin cross steer Knock Out Herbie.
DAIRY CATTLE
Supreme J A & P E Wrights Holstein mature cow Pinebreck Jolt Katherine; res, C R Cawstons Jersey heifer Poringland Gracious 2.
Dexter Mr & Mrs S R Creaseys dry cow Langley End Narcissis; res, SWCHS Farm Clubs Audley Opal.
Holstein J A & P E Wrights mature cow Pinebreck Jolt Katherine; res, J F Temple and Sons cow Chalkfarm Juror Bonheur.
Any other breed R & * Gilmours Ayrshire cow Poringland Eve; res, C R Cawstons Jersey heifer Poringland Gracious 2.
SHEEP
Interbreed Mr & Mrs J Barbers Charollais shearling ewe; res, T J & J * Prentices Texel shearling ram.
Suffolk J D Broughtons shearling ewe; res, C Haywards ram lamb.
Hampshire Down E J & P D Cresswells ram; res, their shearling ewe.
Norfolk Horns The Marquess of Cholmondeleys shearling ewe; res, R Newtons shearling ram.
Texel T J & J * Prentices ram; res, J Waless shearling ewe.
Charollais Mr & Mrs J Barbers shearling ewe; res, Overman Sons shearling ram.
Blue de Maine J Burys ewe; res, J McInnes Skinners shearling ram.
Primitive breeds B Pearsons Castlemilk Moorit ram; res, C Clement Smiths, Shetland ewe lamb.
Other pure breed British Down G Sprakes Southdown shearling ram; res, G C Watson & C J Grains Oxford Down shearling ewe.
Other British breed S Holdics Wensleydale shearling ewe; res, her Wensleydale shearling ram.
Continental breed M E & * S Cranes Berrichon du Cher shearling ram.
PIGS
Interbreed P & M Reeders Welsh boar Lopham Ted 9; res, P E Droves Large Black sow Breckles Jewel 47.
White breed P & M Reeders Welsh boar Lopham Ted 9; res, B Greenways British Lop gilt Greenway Harmony 52.
Coloured P E Droves Large Black Sow Breckles Jewel 47; res, G & M Kiddys Gloucester Old Spot gilt Balsham Star Antoinette 4. *
A champion at just two-and-a-half years old… Crownhead Rio was responsible for half the 10 championship tickets Smiths of Bloxhams farm manager, John Wilson, took home from the Royal Norfolk show.
The locally-bred winner of the Supreme dairy championship was the Holstein mature cow Pinebreck Jolt Katherine.
The Charollais champion, owned by Barbers of Wymondham, Norfolk, was placed ahead of the Texel at this years Royal Norfolk Show.