An international intern has been named the state’s champion dairy parader at last month’s Sydney Royal.
Kyle Meek was interning with Declan Patten at Lightning Ridge Genetics, Glengarry, Vic, for six months before returning to Canada.
The 20-year-old has been involved in parading since he was at least nine years old and grew up working with dairy cattle on his uncle’s farm, Highview Holsteins, Port Perry, Ontario, an hour northeast of Toronto.
“I’ve always enjoyed showing, and my mom was a really good showman,” Mr Meek said. “That’s where I got my real start of learning how to show is from her.My county that I show in is pretty competitive… I had to either get better at showing and showmanship or get left behind.”
Mr Meek led Lightning Ridge Siren in the ring and described her as “really well-trained”.
“That’s all Jess and Brad Gavenlock’s work,” he said. “[The cow] did what I told her to do and we worked well together as a team.”
Mr Meek said experience in the Australian show circuit would give him more confidence when he returned to work in Canada, where he hoped to match or best his mother’s achievements.
Lilly Eagles, Savvy Jerseys, Forbes, took the reserve champion ribbon, leading Savvy Deluxe Blossom, who comes from Autograph genetics.
The 14-year-old said she was proud to bring out one of her own heifers and was looking to compete at nationals in Adelaide in September.
“I just always lived and breathed cows since I was born,” she said.
“I was super happy with how we went, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Lachlan Polson, Oxley Island, was named as the third place parader, with Mario Park Arnold Midas.
The 14-year-old was hoping to one day launch his own stud and follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who run Mario Park Holsteins and Oxley Vale Holsteins, respectively.
Source: Farmonline.com / Dakota Tait
