Co. Dublin breeder wins Royal Ulster Winter Fair Inter-Breed Championship
The 2018 Royal Ulster Winter Fair Supreme Inter-Breed championship was won by Co. Dublin herdowner Cyril Dowling with his Holstein second calver Baldonnel FM Sunshine.
Sired by his own bull, Baldonnel Flashman, the cow calved in October and is currently giving 50L of milk per day. She had previously won the All-Ireland Heifer in Milk championship at Tullamore Show in 2017.
“Her sire is a Stormatic son and is currently breeding some lovely heifers, many of which classify as VG as two year olds,” Cyril explained.
Winter Fair judge, Brian Behnke from Wisconsin, described his champion as an excellent example of the Holstein breed. “She has great dairy character and would compete well in any Holstein class, held anywhere around the world,” he said
The cow has a tremendous mammary system. But, above all, I was particularly impressed with her locomotion. She walks tremendously well.
Behnke awarded the Inter-Breed Reserve to Co. Antrim Ayrshire breeder John Hunter with his fourth calver Ardmore Janet 110. The cow had won the Ayrshire championship earlier in the day.
“She calved on October 29 and is currently giving 40L of milk per day,” John explained. “Her first three calves were heifers, which was followed by a bull the last time around. A number of AI companies are already showing interest in the calf.
Janet had previously won the Ayrshire Championship at the 2017 Winter Fair. In her last full lactation she gave 9,000L of milk at 4.70% butterfat and 3.67% protein.
The Hunters also won the Ayrshire reserve award with their third calver Ardmore Orphan 117.
The Inter-Breed Honourable Mention was awarded to Co. Wexford breeder Philip Jones with his calved heifer Hallow Atwood Carmen. She was also selected as the Holstein Breed Reserve and the Inter-Breed Heifer Champion at the event.
Brian Behnke described her as a young cow with tremendous potential. She calved for the first time in April and is projected to give 9,500L in 305 days. Earlier this year Carmen won the All-Ireland Heifer in Milk championship at Tullamore Show.
The Jersey Championship was won by the Fleming family, from Seaforde in Co. Down, with their third calver Quintrell Kyros Indigo. The Reserve went to the Fleming family and Henry Mark with the Jersey second calver Potterswalls Irwin Glamour.
The Dairy Shorthorn Championship was won by James Lambe, from Co. Monaghan, with his senior cow Ballytrain Marina 6th. The reserve award went to Co. Tyrone breeders George and Jason Booth with their second calver Beechview O Kalif Cecilia.
