5 Exhibitors presented 16 Guernseys for Mr W Luff to place at this years show, with TB restrictions keeping two regular exhibitors away and two others opting for Royal Cornwall next week. However the Jersey and Holstein classes were also attracting only two or three animals each and the shows do need to realise that “dairy” cattle will disappear from public view unless prize money rises to reflect the costs of being away from home for four days at what is often peak silage/hay time.
Class 1 for Maiden heifers attracted 4 entries and it was the youngest heifer the August 2010 born Wiltown Mayflower from Brian and Sheila Adams who resulted from the use of “sexed” semen from Spring Walk Sherberts Mint and traces back to Bickfield via Hazeley and Chiddingstone who was placed first, with Graylands Orange Blossom 4th from the Parfitt family in second place and White Ladies Marius Graceful 8 in third place from Sir Howard Guinness.
Class 2 for In Calf heifers had only two forward and saw the reversal of the recent North Somerset show result with Aber Showtime Dancer 5 shown on behalf of the ARC-Addington fund by Brian and Sheila Adams and she is currently being “raffled” to raise funds for the ARC-Addington fund, she had the advantage in style, length, dairiness and udder promise over Graylands Meadowsweet 66th from the Parfitt family.
Class 3 for In Calf cows again had two forward with Graylands Beauty 28th from the Parfitt’s having advantage in dairy quality over Hinton Yolanda 13 from the Bartlett family.
Class 4 Heifer in milk had only the one animal forward in Hinton Polly 66th from the Bartlett’s she had won as an in calf heifer here last year and then calved in August, but now at the end of her lactation was not level behind and this was to cost her later in the day.
Class 5 for second calvers had three forward and the Parfitt’s Graylands Jackie 4th was placed first with White Ladies Marius Graceful 7 in second place and Hinton Glitter 3rd in third place.
Class 6 for third calvers again had three forward and Bickfield Rainbow 51 from the Sales and Evans partnership just three week calved and giving 44 kgs daily just dominated the ring, with Graylands Hugette 18th in second place and White Ladies Ruby 93 in third place.
Class 7 Only one senior cow was forward and she was later awarded Reserve Championship, she was Graylands Meadowsweet 59th by Kelsmor Mays Sonny Boy and has an Andante son at Graylands.
The Parfitts were placed first in the Group of three and Sir Howard Guiness won the Pair.
The Heifer Championship was awarded to Aber Showtime Dancer 5 with Hinton Polly 66 in reserve.
The Breed Championship was awarded to Bickfield Rainbow 51 with Graylands Meadowsweet 59th in Reserve and Graylands Beauty 28th as Hon Mention.
Bickfield Rainbow 51st was then placed as Reserve Supreme behind the Jersey but in front of the Holstein and she now goes on to the Royal Cornwall next week.