Jennifer wins UK Dairy Day, Telford and Scots not far behind

Evening Holsteins’ Evening Sidekick Jennifer, repeated her 2023 success after being tapped out supreme Holstein. And the Jersey champion, Rivermead Verdi Pixie, from the Davis family, was again crowned supreme.

Holsteins forward were of an exemplary quality shown in this top five line up of cows three of which are Sidekick daughters

Scottish breeders also made their presence felt, with at least nine of the leading awards coming home over the Border.

More than 150 dairy cows were shown under the spotlights in what was again the largest show of in-milk cows seen this year in Britain. The electric atmosphere was absorbed by the crowds watching around the ring and a worldwide audience watching via live streaming.

Logan Chrome Caribbean was reserve Jersey for Brian and Michael Yates and Gary and Izzy Jones

Judge, Marcel Egli from Switzerland, had the unenviable task of choosing his winner from what he described as some of the highest-quality cows he had ever seen.

He said he was looking for a consistent and balanced cow and those before him were "balanced, strong, and had excellent mammary systems."

Champion Ayrshire, Swaites Lois 8 from John Adamson, Swaites, shown by son Jay, pictured with the reserve Mid Ascog Patricia 3 from the Lindsey family and honourable mention

His final lineup was made up of three Walnutlawn Sidekick daughters, but it was Evening Sidekick Jennifer that was tapped out to become the first cow to claim the supreme title for two consecutive years since the event began.

This maximum-scored Ex95 cow is out of Evening Stanleycup Jennifer, classified Ex96. She is one of 450 milking cows in James and Louise Wilson’s Evening herd, based at Thursby, near Carlisle. Born in November 2018, she calved in June and currently produces 60 litres daily.

Laird family's reserve overall Holstein Mag Pandor

Jennifer was shown by the Wilson’s daughter Charlotte as dad James watched nervously from the ringside. He said: “It’s fantastic to win this show once, but what an honor to have done it twice and up against some of the best cows in the country.”

In 2023, this fourth calver was also supreme at the Borderway Expo and supercow at AgriScot.

The reserve championship was presented to Mag Pandor, a four-year-old cow from the Laird family, who run 500 cows at Blythbridge, West Linton. Classified Ex93, she is owned in partnership with Ferme Blondin, Canada.

Jersey champion Rivermead Verdi Pixi shown by Emily Davies

This third-lactation cow was imported from France last January and is producing 55 litres a day. Out of Mag Nacoby, she was inter-breed champion at both Borderway Dairy Expo in March and the Royal Highland Show in June.

As a jubilant Alister Laird punched the air in delight, he said he was over the moon to be reserve supreme for the second year in succession, albeit with a different cow.

The third and final cow in the lineup also made the long journey to Telford from Scotland. Clydeview Sidekick Matilda took the honourable mention spot for Robbie and Margo Scott, and Salvy Esquierdo from Ayrshire.

Brown Swiss champion from Jonny Lochhead Kedar Rhappily Ever After

This VG89 second calver was bought from Ewan and Emma Kennedy in January and is out of Clydeview Dreams Matilda. Now part of the Nethervalley herd, Matilda has had a great show season. She was inter-breed champion at Ayr, reserve inter-breed at the Great Yorkshire, and the first individual cow in the West of Scotland Summer Herds competition, winning the Jim Kennedy Memorial Trophy.  

The Red and White champion was part of the final five supreme lineup. Redsky Altitude Jazz is part of John Suenson-Taylor’s Grantchester Holstein herd. The third calver was bought at the Black and White sale in Carlisle and was inter-breed champion at the Royal Cheshire show earlier this year. She is producing 68 litres daily.

Regular show winner Jonny Lochhead, from Dumfries stood top in the Brown Swiss lines, with Kedar Rhappily Ever After. By Goldhill Bender Huge, this four-year-old cow is out of Kedar Calvin Rhapsody Ex95. Her last classification was as a two-year-old when she scored maximum points VG88.

She won her class here last year and was breed champion as a heifer at AgriScot. She is also the third generation to win at Dairy Day, preceded by her mother and granddam.

The Lochhead family’s genetics also featured in the reserve honours, having bred the heifer Kedar Aldo Snogging. Jack Wilson from Appleby brought out the 2022-born Aldo SG daughter, out of Kedar Blooming Smooches. She was on her first show outing.

Both the champion and reserve in the Ayrshire section came from Lanarkshire. The junior cow Swaites Lois 8 from John Adamson, Swaites, Lanark, took the top spot in the Ayrshire National Show.

The Whitecroft Nectar daughter, out of a home-bred cow, was shown by John’s 16-year-old son Jay, who had been left in charge while dad was back home tending to the farm. Lois is classified VG85 and was on her first outing. 

The reserve champion was Mid Ascog Patricia 3, from the Lindsay family, Harperfield, Lanark. The VG87 third calver is a Bruchag Starman daughter out of a home-bred cow and was champion Ayrshire heifer here in 2022. 

Also making history was the Jersey champion, Rivermead Verdi Pixie, from the Davis family, Tiverton. The 2018-born intermediate cow retained the breed title following last year’s win. The Ex95 cow is sired by Futuredreams Valentinos Verdi and was shown giving 36 litres daily. A fifth calver that calved in March, she is back in calf to Rivermead Addiction and due next May.  She was inter-breed champion at both the Royal Cornwall and Honiton Shows this summer.

Castle Douglas dairy farmers Brian and Michael Yates produced the reserve champion in Logan Chrome Caribbean, an embryo imported from America. Owned in partnership with Gary and Izzy Jones, this junior cow was praised for her fantastic udder and marked as one to watch in the future. The VG89 point second calver is producing 35 litres daily. No stranger to winning enclosure, having stood champion at AgriScot last November, junior inter-breed dairy and breed champion at the Royal Highland Show, she was also champion Jersey at Ayr and Dumfries show. 

The Dairy shorthorn lineup was headed by the junior cow Churchroyd Heather 123, paraded by the Collins family, West Yorkshire. This cow is a 2019-born Churchroyd Wildcard daughter, giving 40 litres daily. Classified Ex-92, she is from four generations of excellent cows.

The reserve, Shaunlea Geri, 25, stood next to her champion all day, being second in the same class. Shaun Dixon and Grace Holliday, County Durham, exhibited the Marleycote Tripple Blend daughter.

Heifer championships

There was further success for Brian and Michael Yates when they walked away with the Holstein heifer championship. Twelve heifers were vying for the title, but Logan Latenite Shania Red caught the judge’s eye.

The December 2021-born Avant Grand-Latenite daughter won the South-west Scotland Holstein Summer Herds competition. 

Boclair Lambda Hope 18 was reserve from the partnership of David Brewster, Glasgow and Greentower Farms, Lanark. The VG87 first calver was shown giving 40 litres.

The Ayrshire heifer champion, Bigginvale Buttermilk 130 came out on top from the Billings family, Derbyshire.

Blackaddar B B Kellogg, a daughter of  Hunnington Naomi 8, stood reserve for L Windows Walker, Birmingham. The unclassified August 2021-born animal was paraded giving 25 litres.

Leading Awards

Holstein (Judge: M Egli, Switzerland). Supreme – J Wilson, Evening Sidekick Jennifer; reserve – Blyth Farms, Mag Pandor; honourable mention – R and M Scott and S Esquierdo, Clydeview Sidekick Matilda. Junior three-year-old – 1, DW and CE Jones, Wilto Chief Atlee; 2, AH Wilson and Son, Winkleigh Chief Pickles; 3, Newmeadow Holsteins, Wolfa Chief Sue. Senior three-year-old – 1, R and M Scott and S Esquierdo, Clydeview Sidekick Matilda; 2, Blyth Farms, Blythbridge Roy Maureen; 3, Crossfell Holsteins, Evening Sidekick Farrah. Junior Red and White – 1, Grantchester Farms, Redsky Altitude Jazz Red; 2, AH Wilson and Son, Nethervalley Awesome Rosanne Red; 3, WA and A Booth, Feizor Mirand a Kandie Red. Four-year-old – 1, Blyth Farms, MAG Pandor; 2, DW and CE Jones, Corringham Lambda S Gremlin; 3, Crossfell Holsteins, Robinview Tahiti Belle. Five-year-old – 1, Evening Holsteins, Evening Sidekick Jennifer; 2, Riverdane Holsteins, Riverdane Chief Sharon; 3, K and S Rickard, Berryholme Lighthouse Flo. Mature cow – 1, Messrs Jones, Yates, Davies, Hains and Sercombe, Dulais Silver Lustre; 2, Seaton Farms, Styche Armour Hilgonda; 3, Wormanby Farms, Wormanby Victor Anita.

Jersey (Judge: J Waller, Yorkshire). Supreme – Davis family, Rivermead Verdi Pixie; reserve – B and M Yates, Logan Chrome Caribbean; HM – Kerry Scott, Layward Divinely Victorious. Heifer in milk – 1, TA and ML Jackson, Guillyhill Webcam Daisy; 2, S Scott, Nethervalley Oliver Regina; 3, Davis family, Rivermead Casino Ceres. Junior cow – 1, B and M Yates and G and I Jones, Logan Chrome Caribbean; 2, K Scott, Layward Divinely Victorious; 3, David family, Rivermead Bubba Tweeny. Senior cow – David family, Rivermead Verdi Pixie; 2, JD Evans, Mydrim Colton New Years Sandy.

Ayrshire (Judge: I Collins, Yorkshire). Supreme – J Adamson, Swaites Lois 8; reserve – Lindsay family, Mid Ascog Patricia 3; HM – L and C Windows, Hunnington Wren 7. Junior cow in milk (having had 2 calves) – 1, J Adamson and Son, Swaites Lois 8; 2, GG Baynes – Morwik Peggy 126; 3, DM Lindsay, Middle Madam MH. Intermediate cow – 1, DM Lindsay, Mid Ascog Patricia 3; 2, JC and AM Sayer, Brieryside Magic Patsy; 3, DM Lindsey, Middle Lovely MB. Senior cow – 1, L and C Window, Hunnington Wren 7; 2, DM Lindsay, Harperfield Queen of the South 60; 3, RT and JI Adams, Bigginvale Brown Girl 26. Breeders group of three – 1, Harperfield; 2, Bigginvale; 3, Heydale.

Brown Swiss (Judge: B Tomlinson, Leicester). Supreme – T Lochhead and Sons, Kedar Rhappily Ever After; reserve – A Clough, Kedar Aldo Snogging; HM – Toi Toi Genetics, Toi Toi My Mums a Hoover. Heifer in milk – 1, T Lochead and Sons, Kedar Aldo Snogging; 2, P and S Williams, Holdontoyourhats Shes the Jees Knees. Junior cow – 1, T Lochead and Sons, Kedar Rhappily Ever After; 2, Toi Toi Genetics, Toi Toi BC My Mums A Hoover; 3, T Lochead and Sons, Kedar Rhaphrodite. Senior cow – 1, T Lochead and Sons, Kedar Nescaardo Snickerlicious.

Dairy Shorthorn (Judge: P. Harrison, Northumberland). Supreme – IRG Collins, Churchroyd Heather 123; reserve – S Dixon and G Holliday, Shaunlea Geri 25; HM – I R G Collins, Churchroyd Heather 141. Heifer in milk – 1, IRC Collins, Churchroyd Heather 141; 2, RW Harper, Burbrook Pure Class Meg 3. Junior cow – 1, IRC Collins, Churchroyd Heather 123; 2, SE Dixon and GR Holliday, Shaunlea Geri 25; 3, M Tidmarsh, Foldspride Tulip. Senior cow – 1, IRC Collins, Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 54; 2, RW Harper, Burbrook Ricochet Pamela.

Heifer championships

Holstein (Judge: M Egli, Switzerland). Champion – B and M Yates, Castle Douglas with Logan Latenite Shania Red; reserve – D Brewster and Greentowers Farms with Boclair Lambda Hope 18; HM – J and S Doherty, Firstlook Jackpot Sara. Senior yearling – 1, R Scott, Knowlesmere Chief Britany; 2, AH Wilson and Son, Logan Jordy Apple Tart Red; 3, A and D Mackellar, Drointon Jordy Crispy Promis. Milking yearling – 1, AD and RM Thomas, Wolston Denver Vaakje 18; 2, Wormanby farms, Wormanby Haniko Gloriette 3; 3, AH Wilson, Tregibby Lambda Alicia. Junior Red and White heifer – 1, Panda Holsteins, Panda Lamborghini Red; 2, AH Wilson and Son, Designer Tregibby Ranger Cheers Red; 3, AD and RM Thomas, Wolston Addison Debra Red 7. Junior two-year-old – 1, DW and CE Jones, Wiltor Lambda Cheers; 2, Wormanby Farms, Wormanby Delta-Lambda Sharon. Senior Red and White heifer – 1, B and M Yates, Logan Latenite Shania Red; 2, – Riverdane Holsteins, Riverdane Awesome Bonita Red; 3, – Larchwood Holsteins, Larchwood Miss Shelby Red. Intermediate two-year-old – 1, I Smith and Sons and D Brewster, Boclair Lambda Hope 18; 2, DR and HM Horsely, Woodcat Solarpower Bee; 3, Wormanby Farms, Wormanby Lambda Allie. Senior two-year-old – 1, J and S Dohery, Firstlook Jackpot Sara; 2, R and E Butterfield, Ingleview Bevin Sidekick; 3,Newmeadow Holsteins, Denmire Ferraro Reba 192.

Ayrshire (Judge: I Collins, Yorkshire). Champion – Billings family, Bigginvale Buttermilk 130; reserve – L Windows Walker, Blackaddar B B Kellogg; HM – I Thomas, Paith Hawaiian Eclipse 2. Junior heifer – 1, L and C Window, Hunnington Naomi 8; 2, I Thomas, Paith Hawaiian Eclipse 2. Senior heifer – 1, RT and JI Adams, Bigginvale Buttermilk 130; 2, AW Montgomerie, Rhos Lottery Lesley; 3, RT and JI Adams, Bigginvale White Julia 84. Hybrid Red and White heifer – 1, J Adamson and Son, Swaites Nice Girl 42; 2, W Astley, Sunshine Rubels Dainty; 3, GG Baynes, Marleycote Celandine 9.

The Holstein UK Premier Exhibitor Banner was won by Tregibby Holsteins and Premier Breeder Banner went to Wormanby Holsteins.

Photographs by Richard Hodgson