22-year-old County Durham cow crowned Livestock Legend 2015

A 22-year-old cow from County Durham has been voted Farmers Weekly Livestock Legend of 2015 by readers.

Since the voting opened on 10 December, more than 100 votes have been cast for the 20 animals shortlisted.

Cow 1200, entered by Emma Dods from Cleasby Hall Farm, County Durham, received 41.3% of the vote.

Cow 1200 has been on Cleasby Hall Farm since Miss Dods’ father bought her aged one.

Since she first calved aged two, Cow 1200 has produced calves every year, including twins on three occasions. She has also been a surrogate mother a number of times and recently took on the rearing of her half-sister’s calf as well.

Second place: 17-year-old suckler

Miss Dods, who recalled her father sitting her on Cow 1200’s back as a baby, said she was “excited” but surprised by the result as “there were a lot of good entries”.

Thrid place: Megwin the Masham

She will receive a Farmers Weekly hoodie and mug and a sash for Cow 1200.

Despite being voted Livestock Legend 2015, Cow 1200 is likely to stick with her slightly impersonal name. “I think the name has stuck,” said Miss Dods.

“But she might get some extra food and silage,” Miss Dods added. “She has been really good and she is a calming influence on the rest of the herd.”

The Livestock Legends 2015 shortlist included old-age cows, sheep responsible for producing a prolific number of lambs, and high milk producers.

In second place, with 22% of the vote, was a 17-year-old suckler cow from Balquharrage Farm, Dunbartonshire.

Megwin the Masham from Hardenclough Farm, Derbyshire, took third with 13.8% of the vote.