An outstanding four-and-a-half year old Illawarra cow from Far North Queensland has been named supreme champion of the Royal Queensland Show.
Exhibited by Greg and Bronwyn English, Malanda, Qld, the very impressive Eacham Vale Precious 7 was named the overall champion of the six breeds on show.
For the first time the dairy judging moved away from having its six breed judges jointly select the interebreed champions. This year the challenge was up to noted Millaa Millaa Holstein breeder Colin Daley.
It is the first time in 10 years the supreme cow award has gone to a breed other than a Holstein or a Jersey.
“The Illawarra has the balance, the capacity and a marvelous udder that makes her the champion,” Mr Daley said.
Precious (Silverleigh Manhattan/Eacham Vale Precious 4) earlier won the four to five year old class before being named the senior champion.
The unbeaten Precious last made the 1700km journey to the Ekka in 2017, when she was named both the intermediate champion and udder.
Ecstatic owner Greg English said he was blown away by the win.
“The only thing I can say is she is not for sale,” a delighted Mr English said.
Mr Daley said he was also particularly attracted to the older Jersey in the line-up, Kenarie False Alarm exhibited by Pat and Pam McDonald, Murwillumbah, NSW.
The supreme group of three females were two cows from the Beattie family’s Nobbyview Partnership at Glamorgan Vale – Nobbyview Eltons Lorna and Nobbyview Virgil’s Pam – alongside Kenarie False Alarm, exhibited by Pat and Pam McDonald, Murwillumbah.
A total of 120 cattle were on show at this year’s Ekka.
Guernsey takes supreme udder
Dedicated Guernsey breeders, the Hayden family from Pilton, Qld, came up trumps at the Ekka, exhibiting the supreme champion udder of Royal Queensland Show.
Previously judged the breed’s champion cow, the three years and under four years class winner, Bruanna Frances 12 (Lindrain Pilot Grumpy/Bruanna Frances 11) drew plenty of praise from interbreed judge Colin Daley from Millaa Millaa in Far North Queensland.
“It’s a near perfect udder,” Mr Daley said, giving the nod to the Guernsey over the Illawarra (the eventual supreme champion cow) and the Jersey.
“Everything is right about this very productive udder from its placement and suspension, its equal quarters and straight hanging teats.
“This is our winner today from a very good line-up.”
Results
Illawarra
Senior Champion: Eacham Vale Precious 7, Greg and Bronwyn English
Reserve Senior Champion: Ovensdale Rose 182, Henry and Bourke
Intermediate Champion: Eacham Vale Erin 4
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Myrtleholme Empress 85 ET, Bourke family
Junior Champion: Allen Vale Linda 40, Tim Nichols, Phillips, Baron
Reserve Junior Champion: Panorama Jean 25, Loka Manu
Jersey
Senior Champion: Kenarie False Alarm, Pat and Pam McDoanld
Reserve Senior Champion: Nobbyview Virgil’s Pam, Nobbyview Partnership
Intermediate Champion: Nobbyview Eddies Jewel
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Glen Echo GN Mist, Parker Pastoral
Junior Champion: Nobbyview Whiskeys Rosie
Reserve Junior Champion: Kenarie Handsome Spotlight
Holstein
Senior Champion: Arabella Broke Tam, Arabella Farming Co.
Reserve Senior Champion: Arabella Jetair Dotti
Intermediate Champion: Arabella Diamond Lynrose
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Pooley Bridge Velvet Anne, AD&SL Barron
Junior Champion: Arabella First Grade Ding
Reserve Junior Champion: Ardylbar Classy Flora, AD&SL Barron
Guernsey
Senior Champion: Bruanna Frances 12
Reserve Senior Champion: Bruanna Marmonte Reo, Hayden family
Intermediate Champion: Shadow Valley PV Abby, Jim and Janice O’Donohoe
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Shadow Valley PV Carol
Junior Champion: Bruanna Superman Spring
Reserve Junior Champion: Bruanna Frances 13
Brown Swiss
Senior Champion: Oakleigh Payssli Roby 5, J&N Bradley
Reserve Senior Champion: Oakleigh Jongleur Lassie 5
Intermediate Champion: Oakleugh Blooming Ladora
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Quicksilver Blooming Ladybettle, Andrew and Larina McConnell
Junior Champion: Maverick Arrow Chloe, Josh Kramers
Reserve Junior Champion: Quicksilver Nick Interesting
Ayrshire
Senior Champion: Boombana Crown, Nicholas Schneider
Intermediate Champion: Pineville Thistle Burdette, RG&RO Zerner
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Boombana Yang
Junior Champion: Tailor’s Grove Ella Lace, Leo Schneider
Reserve Junior Champion: Pineville Teds Vicking
Written by & Source: Queensland Country Life