The Sydney Royal Easter Show in Australia loomed as a hot potato this year.
The show had struggled to blend the needs of its country visitors with the regulations it had in place for its urban visitors. The result was a disjointed lead-up, facegroup discussions on the pros and cons of attending, and fewer Holstein entries.
However, on the flip side – the Jersey show under Michael Heath was strong – there were bigger entries in the Ayrshire and Guernsey shows and the Brown Swiss and Illawarras were also strong and included some big hitters from International Dairy Week (IDW).
The Holsteins did pull through with some stand-out individual entries that could have stood way more competition. And the final summation appeared to be that Sydney survived.
Avonlea Fever Suzette is Semex’s new pin-up girl for Crackholm Fever.
This year’s Supreme Champion was a Holstein who was sick at IDW, and who stood ninth in the five-year-old class that carried IDW’s Senior Champion.
Justin Walsh’s third-calved five-year-old, Avonlea Fever Suzette-ET (x Crackholm Fever) was entered only because she had recovered her health and form after IDW, and Justin wanted her to be seen.
He said his father, Colin, was scheduled to have ankle surgery during the show and they had not planned to attend. But a late decision turned out to be a defining moment for them. They won the Supreme title by a single point from IDW’s Grand Champion Illawarra, owned by Tony and Elle Hayes, who travelled from Victoria.
= The Holstein and Illawarra were neck and neck for Supreme. The Holstein, Avonlea Fever Suzette-ET, would win by one point.
“When you have cows in form you want to try,” Justin said. “We were disappointed we didn’t get to show her [Suzette] in her best form at IDW and we really wanted to take her somewhere where she could do something for herself.
“Even though there weren’t big numbers, I think we got her looking as good as she could have looked and there was plenty of people there to see her and we had a lot of good comment about her. It was definitely worthwhile in the end, even though it was a bit of an ordeal to get everything organised at the last minute.”
The Walsh family bought Suzette from John and Cherie Gardiner (Avonlea Holsteins) at the Global Fusion sale in 2012 as a heifer for $6000. Suzette is out of Avonlea Jasper Sally-Imp-ET VG85, who is preceded by her Canadian granddam, Lakefield Chief Sally-ET EX90-6E.
The Illawarra show was again strong, and Tony and Elle Hayes added to the depth by bringing their Junior Champion, Intermediate Champion and Senior and Grand Champion entries from IDW.
The family effort from Girgarre, in northern Victoria, was put together by sisters Zoe and Taya Hayes. Llandovery had created breed history at IDW in January when it won Junior, Intermediate, and Grand Champion (including Best Udder), Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor (for the third successive year). They also bred the Premier Sire, Llandovery Jinnys Empire for the third successive year.
Since IDW they had also sold their Intermediate Champion, Llandovery Blushes Queenette, for a breed record price of $18,000 to Sheikh Mishal bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar.
Qatar neighbours Saudi Arabia and sits in the Asian continent. Queenette will continue to reside at, and be managed by, Llandovery. Her new owner — one of the world’s wealthiest men had also bought the Honourable Mention Guernsey at IDW and she was also exhibited under Injaaz Farm at Sydney, winning Grand Champion Guernsey.
The Jersey show also included a notable moment. Judge Michael Heath had the best of the numbers and depth and it showed in the interbreed judging – with Jerseys winning both the Junior and Intermediate show.
In an interesting twist, Judge Heath got to judge the same cow he made Grand Champion Jersey at IDW 2014 – Brunchilli Sambo Priscilla 2.
The Lester Sambo daughter, owned by the Brunchilli Farming Trust at Finley, NSW, is now 11 years old, with eight calves to her credit. She was Reserve Champion Jersey at IDW behind Shirlinn Icy Eve EX95 – the highest-classified cow in the country who has been Supreme Dairy Cow at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Icy Eve has since been retired.
Sydney proved to be Priscilla’s day. She could not be denied, said judge Heath.
He said Priscilla had barely aged since he make her Grand at IDW in 2014.
“I probably I think her udder is better now than it was even then with two more calves,” judge Heath said. “Anytime I’ve come to Australia the mature cow classes are always strong and that’s impressive – especially the six years and over.
“This show wasn’t large in quantity, but the quality was exceptional. The heifers are better now than when I judged IDW three years ago. I expected quality in the cow show and that’s what I got.”
His intermediate champion was another high point for him. Kathleigh Gun Grace won the 2.5-3yrs class. She was sired by SV Jade Hired Gun, and owned by Brad and Jess Gavenlock, from Victoria.
“I thought she was incredible and that she has a big, big future down the road,” judge Heath said. “She wound me up enough when she came into the ring that I wanted to own a piece of her no matter where I lived. I think she could be a cow that could compete strong and hard in the US or Canada.”
Reported by Dianna Malcolm, Crazy Cow In Print
HOLSTEIN
Judge: Alan Garratty, NSW
Justin Walsh almost didn’t enter Avonlea Fever Suzette at Sydney.
JUNIOR CHAMPION – Eagle Park Goldchip Hezitall (Mr Chassity Gold Chip – Tim and Natalie Cochrane, Nowra, NSW)
RESERVE – Killarra Park Victoria Secret Mellow (Killarra Park Sid Victory – Cameron Yarnold, via Wingham, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Budgeree Acme Jordy 3-ET-Red (KHW Elm-Park Acme – Cameron Yarnold, via Wingham, NSW)
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION – Wyoming Jayz Blue (Hornland Hayz – ASR Shearer and son, Singleton, NSW)
RESERVE – Juleanwes Windy Dita (Gillette Windhammer – JF and EA Walsh, Jaspers Brush, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION/BEST INTERMEDIATE UDDER – Wyoming Ladenzel Pontiac (La Presenation Denzel – ASR Shearer and son, Singleton, NSW)
CHAMPION COW/BEST UDDER/SUPREME DAIRY COW – Avonlea Fever Suzette-ET (Crackholm Fever – CP and SJ Walsh, Jaspers Brush, NSW)
RESERVE – Strongbark Windbrook Candy 2nd (Gillette Windbrook – Jim Strong and Robert Wilson, Jamberoo NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Mario Park Howie Aleece (Kerndtway Howie – Murray Polson, Oxley Island, NSW)
PREMIER BREEDER/PREMIER EXHIBITOR – ASR Shearer and son, Singleton, NSW
AYRSHIRE
Judge: Brian Leslie, VIC
Grand Champion Ayrshire was Regal Park Solax (Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette) owned by David and Sharon Mayo, from Gerringong, NSW.
JUNIOR CHAMPION – Liddel R2 Skye (Palmyra Tri-Star Reality – Stewart and Rebecca Cole, Wagga Wagga, NSW)
RESERVE – Liddel Amber Rose (Bonnie Brae Ambush – Stewart and Rebecca Cole, Wagga Wagga, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Mayfield Farm Free Rose (Terrace Bank Free Beer – Paul and Vicki Timbs, Jaspers Brush, NSW)
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION – Liddel P Reality Rose 5th (Palmyra Tri-Star Reality – Stewart and Rebecca Cole, Wagga Wagga, NSW)
RESERVE – Mayfield Farm Show Rose (Kellcrest Showstar – Paul and Vicki Timbs, Jaspers Brush, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Regal Park Reality Solax (Palmyra Tri-Star Reality – Stewart and Rebecca Cole, Wagga Wagga, NSW)
CHAMPION COW/BEST UDDER – Regal Park Solax (Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette – DJ and SM Mayo, Gerringong, NSW)
RESERVE – Woodburn Park Ginny (Wroughton Lord Winston – Patrick Buckley, Theresa Park, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Invergowrie Magic Bertha (Hunnington Mandella – Sam Gordon, The Oaks, NSW)
PREMIER BREEDER/PREMIER EXHIBITOR – Paul and Vicki Timbs, Jaspers Brush, NSW
BROWN SWISS
Judge: Alexandra Mathews, VIC
JUNIOR CHAMPION – Benleigh Denver Gredel (Rolling View Denver – MR and RJ Wake, Singleton, NSW)
RESERVE – Miss Zacco Robina (Superbrown Zacco – Tim Wilson and Kate Forbes, Gloucester, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Clifteonvale Jongleur Marlie (Jolahofs Polo Jongleur – Charlie Shearer, Singleton, NSW)
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION – Cooltah Blooming Stacey (Scherma Glenn Blooming – MR and RJ Wake, Singleton, NSW)
RESERVE – Benleigh Brookings Victoria 2nd (RNR Payoff Brookings – MR and RJ Wake, Singleton, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Benleigh Goldwyn Peggy-ET (Bo Joy Agenda Goldwyn – MR and RJ Wake, Singleton, NSW)
CHAMPION COW/BEST UDDER – Benleigh Jetway Sasha (Forest Lawn Jetway – Charlie Shearer, Singleton, NSW)
RESERVE – Benleigh Goblet Carol (Benleigh Lender Goblet – MR and RJ Wake, Singleton, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Curramore Carol Sealion (Nova Brinks Sealion – MR and RJ Wake, Singleton, NSW)
PREMIER BREEDER/PREMIER EXHIBITOR – MR and RJ Wake, Singleton, NSW
GUERNSEY
Judge: Stuart Lockhart, NSW
JUNIOR CHAMPION – Sunny Valley Jackpot Cuddles (Springhill Jackpot – Adam Forbes, Gloucester, NSW)
RESERVE – Heriot Hill Lana’s Melody (Heriot Hill Freedom 2nd – Evan Perkins, Huntley, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Goldwyn Oak Columbine (Land of Living Ro Levi – Gary Joyce, Kyabram, VIC)
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION – Alembry Phoenix Sunflower (Indian Acres Phoenix – Sean Tomkins, Gerringong NSW)
RESERVE/BEST INTERMEDIATE UDDER – Glencrest Dynamic Diamond (Four Winds Dynamic – DJ and JJ Clarke and family and WW Gibson, Morpeth, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Kookaburra Mark Fate (Marglyn Mark, – DJ and JJ Clarke and family and WW Gibson, Morpeth, NSW)
CHAMPION COW/BEST UDDER – Lawarra Aaron Bracelet (Sniders Option Aaron – Ingazz Farm, VIC)
RESERVE – Meadowvale SB Canon (Meadowvale Skipper Bruce – Julie and Michael Moore, Dorrigo, NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Glencrest Challenge Valmay (Idle Gold E Challenge – DJ and JJ Clarke and family and WW Gibson, Morpeth, NSW)
PREMIER BREEDER/PREMIER EXHIBITOR – DJ and JJ Clarke and family and WW Gibson, Morpeth, NSW)
ILLAWARRA
Judge: Raymond Parker, VIC
JUNIOR CHAMPION – Eagle Park Anticipation Pamela 4228 (Panorama Anticipation – Tim & Natalie Cochrane, Nowra NSW)
RESERVE – Eagle Park Manu Linda 4293 (Eagle Park Manu – Tim & Natalie Cochrane, Nowra NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Eagle Park Dan Sunbeam 4136 (Eagle Park Manu – Tim & Natalie Cochrane, Nowra NSW)
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION/BEST INTERMEDIATE UDDER – Llandovery Blushs Queenette 1183 (Wallumlands Blushs Savard – Injazz Farm, Kyabram VIC)
RESERVE – Viewmount Little Patch 24 (Kingawarra Jethro – Robert Ringland, Quaama NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Eagle Park Prophet Jean 3944 (Llandovery Prides Prophet – Tim & Natalie Cochrane, Nowra NSW)
CHAMPION COW/BEST UDDER – Llandovery Ja-Bob Stella 822 (Llandovery Ja-Bob Sam – Tony Hayes, Girgarre VIC)
RESERVE – Viewmount Landmine Little Patch 14 (Panorama Landmine – Robert Ringland, Quaama NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Kangawarra Myrtle 3936 (Llandovery Prides Prophet – Reg Cochrane Pastoral Pty Ltd, Pyree NSW)
PREMIER BREEEDER/PREMIER EXHIBITOR – Tim & Natalie Cochrane, Nowra NSW
JERSEY
Judge: Mike Heath, USA
JUNIOR CHAMPION/SUPREME JUNIOR CHAMPION – Bushlea RV Christine 2 (Premier – Mark and Robert Wilson, Jamberoo NSW)
RESERVE – Miami Verbatim Cowslip 4930 (Arethusa Verbatim REsponse – Philmar Dairy Company, Tocumwal NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Parrabel Minister Lola-ET-Imp (Select Scott Minister – Craig and Jared Cochrane and Wogamia Dairy Nowra, NSW)
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION/BEST INTERMEDIATE UDDER/SUPREME INTERMEDIATE – Kathleigh Gun Grace (SV Jade Hired Gun – Brad & Jess Gavenlock, Tallygaroopna VIC)
RESERVE – Miami Tequila Cowslip 4660 (Tower Vue Prime Tequila – Philmar Dairy Company, Parrabel Genetics and Rockstar Cows Tocumwal NSW)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Gold Label Tequila Daydream (Tower Vue Prime Tequila – Murray Polson, Oxley Island NSW)
CHAMPION COW/BEST UDDER – Brunchilli Sambo Priscilla 2 (Lester Sambo – Brunchilli Farming Trust, Finley NSW)
RESERVE – Salvation Tequila Belle 2 (Tower Vue Prime Tequila – Brad & Jess Gavenlock Tallygaroopna, VIC)
HONOURABLE MENTION – Shirlinn ILB Babe (Ingalala Legion Brett – Brian & Vicki Wilson & family, Tamworth NSW)
PREMIER BREEDER – Brunchilli Farming Trust, Finley NSW
PREMIER EXHIBITOR – John Quin, Menangle NSW
Full class results – http://www.myras.com.au/res/results/ResultsSearch2.aspx?SY=2016&SN=23&EN=All%20Exhibitors&TN=All%20Towns&BR=All%20Breeds&PC1=&PC2=&CL1=&CL2=&EI=1&OR=1&CT=ALL&Type=All
