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Lisnamulligan Dairy Shorthorns
On the 30th of July myself and my partner Kate headed for Leek and District Show.
The first class of the day was Calf Born in 2022, I led this class off with a very correct calf from R W Harper closely followed by R Kite in second, two very well put together calves for their age with very little between them. Second class was Heifer Born 2022. This was my biggest and toughest class to judge however I didn’t hesitate in placing Paige Jepsons extremely correct white calf in first. This calf had so much dairyness she had to go top for me. In second was a red and white calf from GW SM Pattinson and SJ Kirksham, again this calf was very balanced and paraded very well on good legs and feet. On the day it was this calf’s correctness over her topline that placed her over Paige Jepson’s dark red calf in third, again a calf that expelled a lot of dairyness. It was Paige Jepson’s white calf that I later tapped out as Junior Champion. Next was the incalf heifer class, a big powerful light roan heifer from GW SM Pattinson and SJ Kirkham, she again had so much balance and correctness and later I tapped her out as reserve junior champion. In second I had D Winnington and third was R W Harper. Again another class that got me head scratching. Just the one Dry Cow forward from Paige Jepson but this cow looks like an exciting prospect for when she calves in again, a real dairy deep bodied cow that walks great on her legs and feet. Again only one Heifer in Milk with this coming from R Kite, this heifer was really well put together with so much dairy character with a cracking mammary system, walking on great legs and feet and an exceptional frame and body. Cow in milk was won by R Kite this second calver was an easy winner, so much balance and dairyness, a cow I really admired. In second was D Winnington, again another very well balanced cow and in third was D Winngton, this more mature cow has certainly lasted the test of time. In the Pairs class I led off with D Winnington’s pair of cows in milk which to me were two peas in a pod and had no hesitation is place them first. Second was R Kites heifer in milk and cow in milk, two cracking individual cows but not quite coming together to make a pair. In third was again another peas in pod pair of heifers from Julia French.
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My overall Champion was R Kites Heifer In Milk - Cotonhall Dynamic Empress My overall Reserve Champion again from R Kite was his Cow in Milk - Cotonhall Joyland Duchess Anne I’d like to thank all the exhibitors for turning out such wonderful cattle for me to judge. I had a great time and some classes were challenging which is good. I’d also like to thank Leek and District Show for inviting me to judge. David Madeley
Champion: Ballytrain Teal 5 Reserve Champion: Ransboro Madam
Heifer Born in 2022 1st Ransboro Fairy Barrington Mary 4 Carter Family 2nd Ransboro Creeside 83 Carter Family 3rd Kilrisk Fanny 8 Kenny Smith Heifer Born in 2021 1st Ransboro Xena 2 Kenny Smith 2nd Ransboro Queen Maeve 38 Carter Family 3rd Ransboro Sabina 19 Carter Family Heifer in calf 1st Ransboro Fairy 15 Carter Family 2nd Ransboro Xena 2 Kenny Smith 3rd Ransboro Queen Maeve 38 Carter Family Heifer in milk 1st Ransboro Barrington Mary 22 Carter Family 2nd Ransboro Sabina 18 Peter Redmond Junior Cow 1st Ransboro Madam 2nd Ballytrain Bloom 32 3rd Ballytrain Daisy 7 Carter Family J Lambe J Lambe
Senior Cow 1st Ballytrain Teal 5 J Lambe 2nd Ransboro Blossom 40 Carter Family 3rd Ransboro Sabin 4 Carter Family Group of Three 1st Ballytrain Teal 5 J Lambe 2nd Ransboro Sabin 4 Carter Family 3rd Nejay Erin 9 Carter Family Champion: Ballytrain Teal 5 James Lambe Reserve: Ransboro Madam Carter Family Honourable Mention: Ransboro Blossom Carter Family
A fantastic show with enthusiastic support from a number of breeders, it was an honour to be asked to judge this year`s Tullamore show. The 2022 calf class set the expectations for the day, with some exceptional quality at the top of the class, with real strength of quality right down the line. In first place was an exceptional calf, with an ideal balance of strength and dairy quality. She gained the advantage on parade where she tracked a little straighter, and also in overall ring presence where she caught the eye from every angle. Following in type, my second placed calf was also from the same home, and gained advantage for being slightly silker skinned, with a harder top than my 3rd calf. In third I had a very balanced calf, with a correct rump structure. For the 2021 born class, I had 3 similar heifers at the top, but I gave the advantage to the cleanest bone heifer with the best locomotion. Three quality heifers that were very closely placed, separated on personal taste, these 3 heifers will all make good cows. In the in-calf heifer class, we saw many of the 2021 class come back in the ring, however my eventual winner was a different heifer, one that I greatly admired. This all red heifer stood out being taller at the front end, more open through the rib, with a harder top. She paraded well, with a clean bone and excellent foot structure.
In the heifer in milk class, there were 2 entries and heading up the class was a real nice roan heifer, that gained the advantage for being slightly deeper and open ribbed, with quality legs and feet. She had better udder texture and a higher rear attachment. The junior cow class was headed up by a fantastic individual, and a cracking example of what many dairy farmers will be looking for today. She was one of the smallest cows of the class but had exceptional balance and exceptional dairy quality. However, it was in the udder she excelled over the second placing, holding the fore udder far tighter to the under line, with a wider attachment.
Holding her udder higher above the hock, she was a standout winner in this class. Second was a very nice bodied cow, being taller and cleaner over the shoulder than my third placed cow. She was longer overall and had a near perfect rump. She also gained in udder texture through the rear udder, being silkier, and carrying her milk higher in the rear udder. Third was a stronger type cow with excellent legs and feet. In the senior class, I found an easy winner and my eventual champion. A cow having had 6 calves that was super refined and dairy, with excellent openness of rib, and a real dairy texture to the udder. It was the refinement and cleanliness of bone and brisket that gave her the advantage over a very powerful cow in second place. This is a cow I greatly admired, and cow that I can imagine will continue to get better the older she gets. It was the added power and width that gave her the advantage of a slightly smaller cow in 3rd. Third to fifth, in this class were all quality cows, and shows the longevity that Dairy Shorthorns are blessed with, all medium sized with udders to last.
My Champion was the winner of the senior cow class, with the reserve champion going to the junior cow. Two very different, but quality individuals. Owain Harries
Ashbourne Show | 20th August 2022 | Judge: Mr I Collins
Champion: Cotonhall Dynamic Empress
Reserve Champion: Cotonhall Jackpot Starlet with Paige Jepson
Heifer, Maiden, not to exceed 18 months 1st Cotonhall Jedi Tulip - s: Glencliffe JP Jedi Ms P Jepson 2nd Romanmoor Lilac Lily - s: Breckney Graham Ms P Jepson 3rd Cotonhall Bambam Kirklevington - s: Cotonhall Bambam Mr R Kite 4th Weaverdale Vi - s: Cotonhall Eclipse Mrs S Pattinson 5th Oxton Fever Reagan 6 - s: Oxton Fever Mr R Kite 6th Weaverdale Rosepetal - s: Churchroyd Pure Class Mrs S Pattinson 7th Weaverdale Duchess Ann - s: Churchroyd Pure Class Mrs S Pattinson 8th Weaverdale Sharon Rose 22 - s: Rodway Ronson Mrs S Pattinson
In-calf Heifers 1st Weaverdale Tulip 15 - s: Bushmills Jazz Mrs S Pattinson 2nd Cotonhall Blitz Joyce - s: Cotonhall Blitz Mrs S Pattinson Dry Cow 1st Cotonhall Jackpot Starlet - s: Cotonhall Jackpot Ms P Jepson 2nd Weaverdale Tulip 11 - s: Quornford Ronnie Mrs S Pattinson
Milk Heifer 1st Cotonhall Dynamic Empress - s: Cotonhall Dynamic Mr R Kite
Champion: Cotonhall Dynamic Empress - s: Cotonhall Dynamic Mr R Kite
Reserve:
Cotonhall Jackpot Starlet - s: Cotonhall Jackpot Ms P Jepson
Hon Mention: Cotonhall Jedi Tulip - s: Glencliffe JP Jedi Ms P Jepson
Interbreed handling class Junior Handler: Jessica Kirkham - 4th out of 20 Lily Kite - 6th out of 20 Intermediate Handler: Joe Kirkham - 4th out of 16
Westmorland Show
7th & 8th September 2022 | Judge: G Bell
Maiden Heifers 1st Moorriggs Sparkle 28 – s: Winbrook Brutus S Armstrong 2nd Strickley Barrington Dot 33 – s: Strickley Wiggo Messrs Robinson
In Calf Heifers 1st Moorriggs Fleur 9 – s: Winbrook Claridge S Armstrong 2nd Beaconview Ann 5 – s: Lynmark St Clare J Handley 3rd Strickley Foggathorpe Fragrance 56 – s: Strickley Odyssey Messrs Robinson Milking class 1st Beaconview Daisy 16 – s: Bushmills Jazz J Handley 2nd Strickley Annabella 194 – s: Bushmills Jazz Messrs Robinson 3rd Strickley Peeress Rose 49 – s: Strickley Odyssey Messrs Robinson 4th Moorriggs Wildeyes 23 – s: Winbrook Claridge S Armstrong
Junior Champion 1st Beaconview Daisy 16 – s: Bushmills Jazz J Handley 2nd Strickley Annabella 194 – s: Bushmills Jazz Messrs Robinson
Champion: Beaconview Lottie 7
Junior Cow 1st Beaconview Lottie 7 – s: Panorama Anticipation J Handley 2nd Moorriggs Wildeyes 18 – s: Panorama Aramis S Armstrong
Senior cow 1st Strickley Goldie 217 – s: Nejay Amazon Messrs Robinson 2nd Moorriggs Wildeyes 14 – s: Blackwood Park Butternut S Armstrong 3rd Beaconview Pansy 5 – s: Llandovery Jinnys Empire J Handley 4th Strickley Goldie 251 – s: Strickley Bernie Messrs Robinson
Champion: Beaconview Lottie 7 – s: Panorama Anticipation – J Handley Reserve: Beaconview Daisy 16 – s: Bushmills Jazz – J Handley
A trio of dedicated breeders brought forward teams of Dairy Shorthorns to give some high quality competitive classes for me to ponder at this years Westmoreland County Show. Maiden heifers kicked off the proceedings with Moorriggs Sparkle 28 gaining the first place over Strickley Barrington Dot 33 for her strength through her topline and flow of locomotion on parade. Next, in-calf heifers headed by Moorriggs Fleur 9 who showed a little more promising mammary and cleaner bone than a similar type of heifer, Beaconview Ann 5, in third place a lovely fine dairy heifer, Strickley Foggathorpe Fragrance 56 who just conceded smoothness on parade compared to the first two heifers on the day. In the first of the milking classes it was John Handley’s heifer Beaconview Daisy 16 that had the edge over Messrs Robinson’s Strickley Annabella 194 by virtue of the fullness and bloom in her udder and extra style on parade. The second heifer beat her herd mate Strickley Peeress Rose 49 because she carried her milk a little higher. Third place standing above Moorriggs Wildeyes 23 from the Armstrongs for extra depth of rear rib and superior fore udder attachment, the fourth placed animal showing a great rear udder. There then took place a junior Championship contested between first and second places from the first three classes. I made the heifer in milk my Champion and the second place milk heifer Reserve.
Two junior cows in competition in the next class, Beaconview Lottie 7 came out in great form, her overall bloom and sweep of her fore udder was enough to place her above Moorriggs Wildeyes 18, another fine milky looking cow. The Senior cow class provided the most interesting challenge of the day for me. Three heavy producing matrons that had 21 calvings between them and a very stylish third calver that had been calved a while.
In the end I went with Strickley Goldie 217, very fresh in her ninth lactation and moving around the ring like a four year old, it was her depth of rear rib and the fact she had an extra three calvings that gave her the nod over Moorriggs Wildeyes 14. A very close placing between second and third, another sixth calver Beaconview Pansy 5. This put Strickley Goldie 251 in fourth spot although had she been at a earlier stage of lactation she could have stood at the other end of the line.
The group classes were straightforward and with the weather deteriorating I wasted no time with my placings and so set the stage for the finale of the Championship. The final line up was an impressive display in front of a large and knowledgeable crowd. I had no doubt in my mind where I was going and tapped out Beaconview Lottie 7 as a very deserving Champion and her herd mate Beaconview Daisy 16 following nicely in Reserve. I felt that the standard of cattle across the many breeds on display was outstanding. Within the Dairy section the Shorthorn exhibitors can hold heads up high for how they represented our breed, congratulations to all of them. G Bell
UK Dairy Day | 14th September 2022 | Judge: D Winnington
Champion: Marleycote Olive 27 Reserve Champion: Churchroyd Fay 20
Heifer in Milk 1st Churchroyd Fay 22 – s: Blackwood Park Butternut IRG Collins & Partners 2nd Kidstones Gentle 9 – s: Bushmills Jazz AE Wilkes
Junior Cow in Milk 1st Marleycote Olive 27 – s: Shaunlea Gangster GG Baynes and Son 2nd Churchroyd Fay 20 – s: Churchroyd Pharaoh IRG Collins & Partners
Senior Cow in Milk 1st Drisgol Belladonna 349 – s: Drisgol Mabels Master RW Harper & Partners Senior Cow in Milk 2nd Churchroyd Fay 15 – s: Churchroyd Wild Card IRG Collins & Partners 3rd Shaunlea Geri 13 – s: Marleycote Cosmonaut SE Dixon & GR Holliday 4th Twells Susie 69 – s: Strickley Maximus Pearn Wyatt & Son Champion: Marleycote Olive 27 – s: Shaunlea Gangster GG Baynes and Son Reserve: Churchroyd Fay 20 – s: Churchroyd Pharaoh IRG Collins & Partners Honourable Mention: Drisgol Belladonna 349 – s: Drisgol Mabels Master RW Harper & Partners
It was a great privilege of being asked to judge the Dairy Shorthorn Classes at UK Dairy Day 2022 and I would like to thank everybody that was involved in giving me this honour. The quality of the cattle and the way they were turned out were a credit to all the exhibitors.
Heifers - I led this class of in milk Heifers with a dark red heifer, she walked and paraded with style in the ring. She was clean with a deep open rib and a beautiful udder. It was the veination in her udder and the snugness of the attachment in her fore udder gave her the advantage over the second heifer. I really admired the second heifer, I loved the strength through her front end and she also paraded and tracked really well. Two very good heifers to start the day with. Junior Cow - The two outstanding cows in this class were not easy to split, both having an abundance of attributes. I gave the first place to the white cow, a cow that oozed style and presence as she paraded around the ring. This cow had great locomotion moving effortlessly around the ring, she was correct right through with lots of veination through her udder with teats placed just right and tight udder attachment. I gave her the advantage over the second cow for the stretch and length she had, also being more clean in her bone quality as well having more cover over her front teats. The second cow was also outstanding. She was a wonderfully balanced open ribbed cow with great legs and feet. Another excellent udder being high and wide at the rear with bloom. Senior Cow - This was a very good class of four senior cows. I felt like I’d got an easy winner with an outstanding fourth calver, this cow had such balance from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. She had great lines with a level hard top line. This cow had a well attached udder with excellent teat placement. I gave her the advantage over my second cow being more level through her rump and also having a better quality and levelness of udder. She also tracked a little better on her hind legs. The second cow was a really powerful cow, and full of milk. I placed her over the third cow having more width through her chest, with extra height and width in the rear udder and more bloom as well. I did like the third cow though, this cow oozed dairy character and milk. She had a great rib and walked on a good set of feet and it was those feet that put her over my fourth cow, having a better angle and more depth of heel. But this fourth cow was a big, tall quality dairy cow with great stretch and full of milk, a really great cow to finish the line up. Championship - The two junior cows were my Champion and Reserve, with the senior cow worthy of an honourable mention.
The Dairy Show | 5th October 2022 | Judge: P Harrison
Champion: Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 63 Reserve Champion: Churchroyd Heather 123
Maiden Heifer 1st Royalmoor Solo 3 - s: Churchroyd Pure Class J White 2nd Brimclose Elsie 12 - s: Winbrook Brutus S & D Slade In Calf Heifer 1st Brimclose Samanta 68 - s: Brimrclose Majestic S & D Slade
In milk heifer 1st Churchroyd Heather 123 - s: Churchroyd Wild Card IRG Collins and Partners 2nd Brimclose Jean 9 - s: Bushmill Jazz S & D Slade Junior Cow 1st Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 63 - s: Churchroyd Wild Card IRG Collins and Partners 2nd Brimclose Judy 19 - s: Treeton Pingerley S & D Slade 3rd Brimclose Lyra 18 - s: Treeton Pingerley S & D Slade
Intermediate cow 1st Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 54 - s: Ladino Park Talent IRG Collins and Partners 2nd Cotonhall Joyland Starlet - s: Cotonhall Joyland J White Intermediate cow 3rd Brimclose Jill 32 - s: Brimclose Dancer S & D Slade Senior Cow 1st Churchroyd Fay 11 - s: Nejay Prince 4 IRG Collins and Partners 2nd Brimclose Jewel 11 - s: Treeton Pingerley S & D Slade Pairs 1st IRG Collins & Partners Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 63 - s: Churchroyd Wild Card IRG Collins and Partners Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 54 - s: Ladino Park Talent IRG Collins and Partners
Champion: Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 63 - s: Churchroyd Wild Card IRG Collins and Partners Reserve: Churchroyd Heather 123 - s: Churchroyd Wild Card IRG Collins and Partners Honourable Mention: Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 54 - s: Ladino Park Talent IRG Collins and Partners Interbreed Reserve Champion: Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 63 - s: Churchroyd Wild Card IRG Collins and Partners
After a long drive from Northumberland to Somerset I looked forward to judging the Dairy Shorthorn classes in an area I hadn’t judged in before. The first class of the day was the maiden heifers. First place went to a well grown calf with dairy strength throughout, tremendous openness of rib and an excellent rump structure which gave it the advantage over the long angular calf in second. A very young heifer with a great front end, excellent topline on excellent legs and feet showing a lot of promise for udder development, this was the only in-calf heifer forward. Three in milk heifers were forward and I led off this class with an outstanding heifer in first. A real well-balanced heifer with a strong topline, excellent rump structure, openness of rib and excellent udder with strong ligament and teat position, a high wide rear udder and strong fore udder attachment. It was her openness of rib and quality mammary system which gave her the advantage over the very fresh heifer in second. Second over the open ribbed heifer in third for its leg set and better locomotion. The junior cow class again three forward was led off with a tremendous young cow, a cow which was difficult to fault. A stylish excellent topline and rump structure, great frame and balance and a perfect mammary system, high wide rear udder, blended fore udder, excellent teat position. A quality cow hard to get past. This cow was followed by two real fresh cows, second gets the advantage being better attached in the fore udder and more bloom in the udder over the well balanced cow in third. The intermediate cow class was led off by a real balanced red cow and white cow showing dairy strength and a quality mammary system. It was her extra body capacity and udder quality which gave her the advantage over the really long cow in second. It was her extra length and style on parade
