Coming off what might have been one of the greatest World Dairy Expo’s of All-Time (Read –World Dairy Expo 2012 Holstein Show – A Battle For The Ages), there seems to be great debate about how some cows stack up in the All-Time rankings. To help determine how we would rank the greatest North American Holstein show cows of all time, we looked at their head to head match ups as well as overall accomplishments and dominance in their era and developed the following list:
#8. VANDYK-K INTEGRITY PARADISE EX-96-2E-USA DOM 3*
VANDYK-K INTEGRITY PARADISE EX-96-2E-USA DOM 3* – Photo by Kathy Debruin
BREEDER: VANDYK-K HOLSTEINS, LYNDEN, WA, USA
OWNER: ROSEDALE GENETICS, OXFORD WI, USA
- ALL-AMERICAN MATURE COW, 4-YR, JR. 3-YR
- RES. ALL-CANADIAN 4-YR 2000
- GRAND MADISON 2002, 2000
- 1ST MATURE COW MADISON 2002
- 1ST 4-YR MADISON 2000
#7. QUALITY B C FRANTISCO EX-96-3E-CAN 18*
QUALITY B C FRANTISCO EX-96-3E-CAN 18* – Photo by Patty Jones
BREEDER/OWNER: QUALITY HOLSTEINS, VAUGHAN, ON, CAN
- ALL-CANADIAN MATURE COW, 5-YR, 4-YR, SR.3-YR, MILKING 1-YR
- HM. ALL-CANADIAN MATURE COW, SR.2-YR
- GRAND ROYAL 2005, 2004
- INT.CHAMP ROYAL 2002
- HM.GRAND ROYAL 2002
Reasons: Both Paradise (Madison) and Frantisco (Royal) were only able to win twice in their home country at a time when the border was closed. But Frantisco does win the battle when it comes to total All-American or All-Canadian awards so she wins this close battle.
#6. MERKLEY STARBUCK WHITNEY EX-CAN EX-96-5YR-USA 3*
MERKLEY STARBUCK WHITNEY EX-CAN EX-96-5YR-USA 3*
BREEDER: DAVID MERKLEY, COURTENAY, BC, CAN
EXHIBITED BY: FRASER FAMILY/ELMVUE HOLSTEINS, USA
OWNER: CHEROWN HOLSTEINS, PARIS, ON, CAN & TOKACHI LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT, OBIHIRO-SHI, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN
- ALL-CANADIAN MATURE COW, 5-YR, 4-YR
- ALL-AMERICAN 5-YR, 4-YR, JR.3-YR
- GRAND ROYAL 1994, 1992
- GRAND MADISON 1993
- RES.GRAND ROYAL 1993
Reasons: Since Frantisco never having won at Madison, the edge goes to Whitney for winning on both sides of the border.
#5. HARVUE ROY FROSTY EX-97-2E-USA
HARVUE ROY FROSTY EX-97-2E-USA
BREEDER: HARVUE HOLSTEINS, BERRYVILLE, VA, USA
OWNER: SCOTT W. ARMBRUST, GREEN BAY, WI USA & DUCKETT HOLSTEINS, RUDOLPH, WI
- ALL-AMERICAN MATURE COW, 5-YR
- ALL-CANADIAN 5-YR 2009
- GRAND MADISON 2010, 2009
- RES.GRAND ROYAL 2009
- INT.CHAMP MADISON 2007
Reasons: Very close battle between Frosty and Whitney, both cows where Supreme at Madison twice, but the nod goes to Frosty for for doing it against stiffer competition (see Rose below).
#4. THRULANE JAMES ROSE EX-97-2E-CAN 2*
THRULANE JAMES ROSE EX-97-2E-CAN 2* – Photo by Vicki Fletcher
BREEDER: THRULANE HOLSTEINS ELMIRA, ON, CAN
OWNER: PIERRE BOULET, MONTMAGNY, PQ, CAN
- ALL-CANADIAN MATURE COW 2009, 2008
- ALL-AMERICAN MATURE COW 2009, 2008
- GRAND ROYAL 2009, 2008, 2006
- GRAND MADISON 2008
- GRAND QC INTERNATIONAL 2008
Reasons: Head to head these cows split with Frosty winning Madison and Rose winning the Royal, but Rose gets the edge for being able to win on both sides of the border.
#3. ACME STAR LILY EX-2E-CAN EX-94-4YR-USA 8*
ACME STAR LILY EX-2E-CAN EX-94-4YR-USA 8* – Photo by Patty Jones
BREEDER: ACME HOLSTEINS, CARSTAIRS, AB, CAN
OWNER: CONTINENTAL HOLSTEINS, LEDUC, AB, CAN, ALTA GENETICS INC, ROCKY VIEW COUNTY, AB, CAN & EVERETT SIMANTON, PONOKA, AB, CAN
- ALL-CANADIAN 5-YR, 4-YR, JR.2-YR
- ALL-AMERICAN 5-YR, 4-YR
- GRAND ROYAL 1999, 1998, 1997
- GRAND MADISON 1998
Reasons: Close battle, with both cows having 4 Grand Championships at the Royal or Madison. The edge goes to Lily with the 1 more All-Canadian nod.
#2. RAINYRIDGE TONY BEAUTY EX-5E-CAN 9*
RAINYRIDGE TONY BEAUTY EX-5E-CAN 9* – Photo by Patty Jones
BREEDER: RONALD BOERCHERS LAURIER, MB, CAN
OWNER: RAY BROWN VISTA, MB, CAN, WEDGWOOD HOLSTEINS, COBBLE HILL, BC, CAN & STANHOPE DAIRY FARM LTD, VICTORIA, BC, CAN
- ALL-CANADIAN MATURE COW 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992
- ALL-AMERICAN MATURE COW 1999, 1995, 1992
- GRAND ROYAL 1993
- GRAND MADISON 1999
- RES.GRAND ROYAL 1999,1995
Reasons: Very close battle even though they split their head to head battle, Beauty was 8 times All-Canadian or All-American where Lily was only 4 times.
#1. BROOKVIEW TONY CHARITY EX-CAN EX-97-5YR-USA DOM 13*
BROOKVIEW TONY CHARITY EX-CAN EX-97-5YR-USA DOM 13* – Photo by Maggie Murphy
BREEDER: JOHN D. & KARL E. HAVENS FREMONT, OH, USA
OWNER: ROMANDALE FARMS LTD TORONTO, ON & HANOVER HILL HOLSTEINS PORT PERRY, ON
- ALL-CANADIAN 1987, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982
- ALL-AMERICAN 1987, 1985, 1984, 1982
- GRAND ROYAL 1987, 1985, 1984, 1983
- GRAND MADISON 1987, 1985, 1984, 1983
Reasons: No comparison. Charity was never defeated in her class and 8 times was Grand at Madison or the Royal. She was incredible perfection!
The Bullvine Bottom Line
While I am sure you can debate which cows were actually better than others, the only way to fairly compare them is to look at how they did head to head in their prime. If that was not possible as the cows are from different eras then you have to then look at total accomplishments. The one thing for sure is that Brookview Tony Charity’s accomplishments are by far the greatest of all time and may never be equaled again.
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The 8 Greatest Show Cattle of All Time – Wallpaper
Just as a note: Rose was Grand and Supreme in Madison in 2008
Thanks Kaite, we had missed it on the final copy but have added it now.
What about Shoremar S Alicia and Tri-Day Ashlyn?
Both great cows, just the 1st requirement we put was that they had to win either the Royal or WDE multiple times. Meaning be deemed the best more than one year.
What about the legendary Northcroft Ella Elevation. She was the only cow to win all 4 nationals in north america in the same year. I dont know how many times she was all can or all american. May be someone can help me out????
Ya Ella Elevation was a tricky one for me. Cause she was from an era before Madison, it made it tough. Though if we let her in, I would have had her near the top.
I was lucky enough to see Charity in 84. After the Royal a group of english farmers went to see her at Hanoverhill. She was in the first box on the left as you walk in to the barn and sporting a gold chain. Our guide(Malcom Peasnal) told us to move on and look at the other great cows in the barn such as Kit Rosemary, TT Marq i etc but i ignored his calls and spent most of the time star struck as i knew at the time i was in the presence of a legend. She was unreal. The picture of her , in my humble opinion , was taken when she was stale. There is a shot of her with the late great Pete Heffering winning the royal with a sash made of red roses around her neck. She is bare naked in this photo, Milking very hard. Shes railed right off. If my memory serves me right i think she went on to produce around 16000kgs in this lactation.
I very much doubt there will be another one like her. Perfection.
This article seems to be something of a deviation from your usual material. Do you feel the need to warm a few pockets with the proverbial?
Really I would say it is inline with https://www.thebullvine.com/breeder-profiles/top-ten-influential-holstein-breeders-time/ and https://www.thebullvine.com/mating-recomendations/7-sires-order-breed-world-dairy-expo-champion/
Triune Papoose Piebe
AA in every class