A Holstein cow that is “the kind we need to breed for” has triumphed, claiming the supreme title at the feature breed show.
Judge Brian Carscadden, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, said the senior champion, four-year-old Mooway Destry Carmel was “very free of fault” with “sheer volume and capacity”.
“It could certainly win at a lot of shows throughout the world,” he said.
While praising the mammary system of the cow, which also won best udder for the Holstein section, Mr Carscadden said Carmel also had “showring presence” which helped put it up.
Breeder Colin Dohnt, Glendalin, Victor Harbor, said he had high hopes for the cow ahead of the show.
“Its got to be the best cow I’ve bred,” he said.
“It makes all the years of hard slogs and work in the industry worthwhile with the self-satisfaction of have bred such a great cow.”
Mr Dohnt and wife Glenda run their 150 cow Holstein herd with the Treloar family at Victor Harbor and last won the senior champion Holstein title in 2011.
Mr Carscadden said it was a close decision between the two senior cows.
“I could give reasons to go either way,” he said.
He said the reserve champion, five-year-old Beclah Park Dempsey Nona of Steve and Renee Joyce, Girgarre, Vic, was also an example of the type he likes to see.
In the intermediate a three-year-old cow on its first showing picked up the broadribbon.
Glenorleigh Brady Lilac, exhibited by Rob Walmsley and Rebecca Hehir, Mount Gambier, was described as a “beautiful cow” with “great depth and ideal fore udder attachment”.
Ms Hehir said she was pleased to have such success in a really strong show like this.
“It’s an awesome little cow and you always come hoping (to win),” she said.
Reserve intermediate cow went to 2.5-year-old Empire Sid Pearl, shown by Andrew Pacitti, Hindmarsh Tiers.
A red Holstein heifer surpassed its success as reserve juvenile red and white Holstein at the NSW State Holstein Show in Nowra late last month, and a placing at the Winter Fair, by claiming the tricolour ribbon.
Yearling heifer Bluechip EV Shesaawsome Apple, was bought in partnership between Brad and Jessica Gavenloch, Tallygaroopna, Vic, and Henry Bevan, Ravenshoe, Qld, at the Bluechip dispersal sale last October.
Mr Gavenloch said it was a relief to get the win.
“We’ve been so close, so many times,” he said.
“It doesn’t make the drive home so long when you get a result.”
The Gavenlochs breed mostly Jerseys but also run Holsteins and Illawarras.
“We don’t care what breed they are, as long as they are good,” he said.
Mr Carscadden said the heifer impressed with its overall size, frame and scale.
Reserve juvenile went to another Glendalin entry, Mooway Heztry Heather, who stood second to the champion in the yearling class.