A 10-YEAR-old cow has continued its winning streak, picking up its fifth Ayrshire senior champion ribbon at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Cher-Bar Rippa Lasselle, exhibited by Cheryl Liebich, Jervois, had previously won the senior champion at Adelaide in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, as well as winning intermediate champion in 2010 and Ayrshire champion at International Dairy Week in 2016.
Ms Liebich said Rippa had a break for one year and returned as a dry cow last year.
“It was calving at the right time, so we thought we’d give it a crack,” she said.
“I’d hoped Rippa would do it, and after looking at it this morning, I thought it probably looked better than the last time it was champion.”
Rippa also picked up the supreme title of the Ayrshire breed with judge Zane Kite, Ohaupo, New Zealand, saying he was unable to look past a cow of that quality.
“It really shows the longevity of the Ayrshires,” he said.
“It is a super, super dairy cow with a fantastic udder.”
Last year’s senior champion cow, Boldview Bonaparte Spect, Boldview Farms, Jervois, was reserve champion, while last year’s reserve, Boldview Whammy Calypso, also from Boldview Farms, was given honourable mention.
In the intermediate, a last minute swap netted a first broadribbon for Sam Hentschke, Balwonnah, Glencoe, with Enterprise Burdette Gaiety.
Mr Hentschke had originally planned to bring a different cow but believed this one had been looking better after calving, and leased it from his brother Alex, who is playing cricket in England.
The heifers had been 21st birthday presents for the brothers. He said the cow had bloodlines that went back to the well-performing Rose family.
Mr Kite said the three-year-old in-milk cow was “capacious”, with balance and style and an impressive width of rump.
Reserve went to Boldview Starbuck Macchiato, Boldview Farms.
Juvenile champion went to 18-month-old heifer Ayrborne RD Tornado, exhibited by Caitlin Liebich, Glencoe, with Mr Kite praising its balance, style and depth of rib.
Reserve juvenile champion was Boldview Free Racs, TyJa Ayrshires, Langhorne Creek.
Boldview Farms was named most successful exhibitor.
