World -Class Cattle at Agriscot Event

World -Class Cattle at Agriscot Event By Chrissie Lawrence

A WORLD-CLASS show of dairy cattle was how judge Roger Turner of Guelph, Ontario, described the classes put before him at this year”s Agriscot Event at Edinburgh.

After an exhausting day judging all breeds, he had no hesitation in choosing his champion super cow, the honour for the day going to the Tom Cope and Richard Lancaster and Sons partnership”s junior Holstein cow Shanael Gelpro Melody.

Bred by the Miller family of Worcs, Shanael was bought at last year’s HUKI sale for 20,000gns to join the 190-cow herd in Staffs. Described by Mr Turner as an outright easy winner with outstanding presence, Melody is giving 45 litres a day at 3.8% fat and 3.16% protein, having already given 11,500 litres in her second lactation.

Holsteins dominated yet again in the heifer championship, with the top accolade going to Dumfries-based Brian Davidson”s three-year-old heifer Wiltor Dante Tessie.

Led out by son Craig, Tessie easily showed her way to the top, expressing great height, width and depth, said Mr Turner. Bred from a strong Canadian family and sired by Regancrest Elton Dante, she is due to calve in February and is expected to give 10,000 litres.

In the Jersey line-up it was Smiddiehill Jerseys that shone throughout, winning the largest class of the show and then taking top honours with their already successful junior cow Ellerdine Lesters Amberlight 2.

Going one better than his efforts at last year”s Agriscot, John Templeton won the Ayrshire championship with his four-year-old cow Willoxton Juda 36.