A FOURTH calver Holstein cow took the champion of champions title at the third Borderway Dairy Expo at Carlisle at the weekend.

Peak Goldwyn Rhapsody from Yasmin Bradbury and Bill Nadin of the Sterndale herd, Derbyshire, was crowned Holstein champion and senior champion before taking the overall title.

Giving 45kg a day, she was chosen from 350 entries in the final line up of champions from the seven breeds competing.

Holsetin judge Mark Reuth from Wisconsin , America, said: “This really is an exceptional Holstein show. It is 15 years since I have judged in the UK and the quality I am seeing is exceptional. These UK dairy farmers are breeding excellent modern milking cows which move extremely well and have great feet and legs.”

The high profile of Dairy Expo was reflected in the quality of the world-class judges. Responsible for judging the coloured breeds was Callum McKinven from Quebec.

The event attracted 7,000 visitors to see industry developments on 130 stands.

“Beyond 400: Expanding the Dairy Herd”, sponsored by Elanco, attracted audiences to listen to dairy sector leaders, vets and farmers’ opinions on why expanding the herd to more than 400 cows is so key to efficiency and profitability.

The 59 show classes started with the International Dairy Youth championships and heifer classes on Friday and culminated with the best in show on Saturday.

The Dairy Youth Championships were judged by Erica Rijneveld, an international authority from the Netherlands. She said: “The standard of entries was very high, which both makes it a pleasure and a difficult job to judge.”

The overall title went to Becky Channing from Cheshire.

After the show David Pritchard, Borderway UK Dairy Expo organiser and Harrison and Hetherington’s operations director, said: “Once again Borderway UK Dairy Expo has topped our expectations, in terms of the quality of the animals on show and the number of visitors.

“Our location in Carlisle and the excellent facilities at Borderway Exhibition Centre puts us in the perfect position to attract the very best competitors from the UK’s main dairy producing areas. As a result the calibre of entries in all classes was second to none and I would like to congratulate all of the winners and to thank everyone who took part in the competitions.”

Results

Heifer junior champions. – Ayrshire: Sandyford Perfek Bunty, Messrs Tomlinson & Sons, Loughborough; Brown Swiss: Kedar SGB Cinderella, T Lochhead & Sons, Dumfries; Shorthorn: Shaunlea Geri 2nd, Shaun Dixon, Co.Durham; Holstein: Holmland Gold Chip Alanya, A Jackson, P Halhead, Lancs and M/s Harrison, Cumbria; Jersey: TLC Vintage Tequila, Tom Lomas, Derbyshire; Red & White: Parkend Director Starlet Red, Brian Weathrup & Ptrs, Fife.

Breed champions. – Ayrshire: Sandyford Diamond 45, Messrs Tomlinson & Son, Loughborough; British Friesian: Lismulligan Priscilla 41, B Lawson & Sons, Fife; Brown Swiss: Kedar TD Reia, T Lochhead & Son, Dumfries; Shorthorn: Marleycote Princess Jill 31, McLean Family, Co.Antrim; Holstein: Peak Goldwyn Rhapsody, Yasmin Bradbury, Derbyshire; Jersey: Erie Baywatch Grove, EM & E & Iwan Morgan, Carmarthen; Red & White: Sterndale Talent Jodie Red, WJ Nadin & Co, Derbyshire.